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Polygamy Kids Could Be Back Home in 10 Days

Texas must appeal surprise ruling or send children back

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 23, 2008 4:57 AM CDT

(Newser) – Yesterday's surprise court ruling in favor of a polygamous sect has Texas authorities scrambling, Time reports. An appeals judge ruled that the state had no right to seize children suspected of being sexually abused from the Yearning for Zion ranch. Officials now must appeal the ruling or return the children within 10 days

Both the state and the sect appear to be gearing up for further legal battles. Supporters of the sect families were jubilant after the ruling but others were shocked and upset. "I just can't believe they are just sending them back," one woman who fled a sect community told the Houston Chronicle. "We have just lost another generation."

Marie Steed, a member of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, cries in front of the Tom Green County courthouse after the ruling.
Marie Steed, a member of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, cries in front of the Tom Green County courthouse after the ruling.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints mothers hug after the news of a court ruling in their favor in San Angelo, Texas, Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints mothers hug after the news of a court ruling in their favor in San Angelo, Texas, Thursday, May 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Sect elder Willie Jessop of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints arrive at the CNN's Hollywood studios, to appear on the Larry King television show yesterday.
Sect elder Willie Jessop of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints arrive at the CNN's Hollywood studios, to appear on the Larry King television show yesterday.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, left, follow a group of attorneys into the Tom Green County Courthouse, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.
Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, left, follow a group of attorneys into the Tom Green County Courthouse, Monday, May 19, 2008, in San Angelo, Texas.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
A members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints closes the gate of the Yearning for Zion ranch near Eldorado, Texas, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.
A members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints closes the gate of the Yearning for Zion ranch near Eldorado, Texas, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A man looks out a window of the school house at the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Yearning for Zion ranch near El Dorado, Texas, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.
A man looks out a window of the school house at the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Yearning for Zion ranch near El Dorado, Texas, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A locked gate and a long gravel road leads to the main temple grounds of the Yearning For Zion Ranch, home of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Eldorado, Texas.
A locked gate and a long gravel road leads to the main temple grounds of the "Yearning For Zion" Ranch, home of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Eldorado, Texas.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints mothers smile as they leave the Tom Green County courthouse in San Angelo, Texas, Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints mothers smile as they leave the Tom Green County courthouse in San Angelo, Texas, Thursday, May 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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