Since Thursday, police authorities have removed 159 children and 60 adults from the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas. The ranch is home to as many as 400 members of the polygamous sect, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, formerly led by Warren Jeffs. (CNN)
The legal background for the raid is outlined in a story published yesterday by the San Angelo (TX) Standard-Times. On March 29 and 30, Texas police authorities received a call from inside the ranch by a 16-year old girl who said she is married to-- and has an 8 month old child by-- Dale Barlow who has previously been convicted of conspiracy to commit sexual contact with a minor. In response, on Thursday afternoon police obtained a warrant from state District Judge Barbara Walther ordering the arrest of Dale Barlow, and authorizing seizure of any records or documents on the marriage of Barlow to the 16-year-old and the resulting birth of their child. It also orders the seizure of computer equipment, hard drives and data storage equipment, DVDs, videotapes and photographs. (San Angelo Standard Times).
Once inside the compound, authorities used evidence of past or imminent abuse or neglect to remove children and women. (Deseret Morning News.). On Friday Judge Walther issued another order-- this time a gag order to prevent further information about the investigation being released. (Ft. Worth Star Telegram). Judge Walther also issued an order directing officials to bring all children, including boys under age 18, out of the compound. (Salt Lake Tribune).
UPDATE: News stories Monday evening in the Houston Chronicle and the San Angelo Standard Times report on new legal moves. 401 children have now been removed by Texas' Child Protective Services that cites allegations of abuse and risk of harm. The court has awarded CPS temporary custody of the children. A guardian ad litem and an attorney ad litem will be appointed for each child to represent his or her interests. 133 women have voluntarily joined the children. District Judge Barbara Walther has decided that emergency 24-hour hearings are unnecessary and the cases will instead move into adversarial "14 day hearings". The statutory provisions governing procedures for removing children from their home to protect their health and safety are found in the Texas Family Code, Chap. 262.
