Texas Court: Sect Kids Shouldn't Have Been Taken

Published on: Thu, 29 May 2008 17:49:22 -0700

PlusTexas Court: Sect Kids Shouldn't Have Been TakenTexas Court: Sect Kids Shouldn't Have Been TakenThe Associated PressThe Texas Supreme Court has ruled that more than 400 children removed from a polygamist compound should go back to their parents. (May 29)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] SOT: Texas Grande, Rio Ade A decision has been made in the custody dispute involving hundreds of children taken from a polygamist sect's ranch. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that all the sect children should be returned to their parents.Parents and lawyers have been anxiously awaiting a ruling from the high court since a lower appeals court said child welfare officials were wrong to take the more than 400 children from their parents.The children from the Yearning For Zion Ranch in Eldorado have been in state custody for nearly two months.The state raided the Y-F-Z ranch based on a phone call, purportedly from a 16-year-old girl living on the compound. Officials said the caller claimed her middle aged husband beat and abused her. The girl has never been found and investigators are investigating the call as a possible hoax. Members of the sect, claim they're being persecuted for their religious beliefs, including that polygamy brings glorification in heaven.It's not immediately clear exactly when the children will be returned to their parents. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: Ross Simpson -------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: Michael Waldon ------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: AP Stringer, POOL and AP PHOTOS --------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: Donnna Starddard ------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: None ----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE:

Author: AssociatedPress
Keywords: bc tx--polygamist texas court: sect shouldn't taken
Added: May 29, 2008