From what we talked about regarding cults, it seems like ol' Warren Jeffs was an even naughtier boy than we thought. (From http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/07/texas.ranch/index.html?eref=rss_topstories)
Is this infringing on freedom of religion (as members of the sect would claim) or is it a different situation entirely?
Texas takes legal custody of 401 sect children
(CNN) -- Authorities said Monday they have taken legal custody of 401 children who lived on an isolated West Texas polygamist retreat built by imprisoned "prophet" Warren Jeffs.
The children are being kept at a temporary shelter at historic Fort Concho in nearby San Angelo while authorities investigate whether a child bride gave birth on the ranch at age 15.
The children in state custody are joined at the shelter by 133 women, most of them mothers, who were taken during the past few days from the sprawling Yearning for Zion ranch, said Marleigh Meisner, a spokeswoman for the state's Child Protective Services agency.
The women are free to return to the 1,900-acre compound, officials said, but many have chosen to remain. At this point, officials said, the children's fathers are not permitted to see them. Video See buses take girls from compound »
Court proceedings began Monday to determine whether there is enough evidence to remove the children from their homes on the ranch, which is near Eldorado, Meisner said. A hearing is scheduled April 17.
The children will be appointed lawyers and legal guardians in about two weeks, she added.
Meisner said the temporary shelter is filling up quickly, and officials are facing a "critical shortage" of foster homes. Officials will try to keep siblings together, she added.
Law enforcement officials would not provide many details of their investigation, but Meisner said the 401 court affidavits being filed Monday should shed some light on the alleged abuse.
The investigation, which began Thursday night, is continuing and authorities remain on the property to search for evidence and other children, said Tela Mange of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
One man has been arrested, allegedly for interfering with investigators. He faces a misdemeanor charge, authorities said.
Investigators said they believe more children will be found at the ranch, but Mange stopped short of saying they were being hidden. Video See why police want every child removed »
Authorities would not say whether they have located or identified the teen tipster whose call prompted the raid.
On March 31, a 16-year-old called and reported physical and sexual abuse on the ranch, authorities said. She said she was married to a 50-year-old man. Authorities are looking for evidence the girl had a child at the age of 15.
It remains unclear whether the girl who reported being abused is among the children being interviewed -- or was whisked away from the compound under a different name before authorities arrived.
"I am confident that this girl does indeed exist," Meisner said earlier. "I am confident that the allegations that she brought forth are accurate."
One issue compounding an already difficult and sensitive investigation is the difficulty pinning down exact names and ages of the people being interviewed -- as well as of the people being sought.
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints bought the ranch four years ago and began erecting dormitories and a large, white temple. Hundreds of Jeffs' followers moved from Arizona and Utah as authorities there stepped up their investigations.
The name is taken from one of Jeffs' spiritual songs, "Yearning for Zion."
Authorities began blocking roads to the YFZ ranch Thursday, then raided the compound and began busing women and children off the property. Most were girls, and most wore hand-sewn prairie dresses.Video Watch Eldorado residents react to the removals »
Officers entered the compound with a search warrant for 50-year-old Dale Evans Barlow, who they believed was married to the 16-year-old tipster. The search warrant authorized law enforcement to seize any evidence of a marriage between the two including CDs, DVDs and a computer hard drive, The Associated Press reported.
Barlow was sentenced to jail last year after pleading no contest to conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor, the AP said.
Barlow was ordered to register as a sex offender for three years while on probation, the wire service reported. Barlow's probation officer, Bill Loader, told The Salt Lake Tribune in Utah that he was in Arizona and did not know his accuser.
It remained unclear, the spokeswomen said, whether that was the same Dale Barlow named in their warrant. They acknowledged the man they are seeking might not be in Texas, but said they had no other details about his whereabouts.
CNN's previous visits to the ranch revealed the compound was guarded by armed men equipped with night-vision gear and other high-tech surveillance tools.
Authorities would not say Monday whether they had found any weapons.
advertisement
Jeffs remains jailed in Kingman, Arizona, where he awaits trial on four counts of incest and sexual conduct with a minor stemming from two arranged marriages between teenage girls and their older male relatives.
Jeffs was sentenced in November to two terms of 5 years to life for being an accomplice to the rape of a 14-year-old girl who said she was forced to marry her cousin.
31 comments:
Yeah this should not be excuseable at all. It is pretty similar to what David Koresh was doing-taking multiple "wives" that were very young in age and not legal. Its pretty bizarre to me these cults stress the taking of young,underage wives and not women who are of age. Hopefully the judicial systems keep punishing men and groups like this harshly. And yet, I wouldnt expect these groups to change their ways or practices.
There definitely is times that the right to freedom of religion is infringed but I would not consider this one of those types of situations. If people within the compound are not agreeing with what is going on, in particular the girl who made the anonymous phone call, then there is an obvious problem. Nonetheless, sex with minors or conspiracy to commit such acts is illegal in our criminal justice system and among most people would be considered a moral wrongdoing as well. There should be no exceptions especially in a case where there are complaints made by the victim. This is a problem we see a lot in the media and I feel as though as a society we should come up with more clear cut and definitive ways of dealing with such issues.
I do not believe that any leader of a religious cult has the right to claim that they are being infringed upon when they, themselves, rob others of their freedom. These leaders take advantage of the fact that many of their followers are not in a position to fight back or know what is right from wrong, such as the 401 children that were taken into legal custody. Anyone who would force a minor into marriage with their relatives or fifty year old males deserves to be punished. As far as the unidentified 16 year old who tipped off the police, I believe that she represents the voice of many followers. Although many of them have been forced into believing the cult’s ideals, there comes a point in which they are able to recognize that, those they had initially trusted in were wrong.
Since this event occured in the U.S. it is illegal. In other countries religious practices that involve the marriage at young ages or other "unusual" behaviors are accepted. The men who were involved deserve to be punished because i doubt they were doing it for religious reasons, and the young women were more likely forced into their decisions.
Using women, young or of age, for sexual pleasure and trying to hide it under the facet of a religious belief is absolutely absurd to me.They must have known what they were doing was wrong, otherwise why would they have armed guards with night vision goggles on the look out. The women who decided not to go back to "the compound" and stay in the custody of the PD are now excercising rights they previously didn't have. it is claimed the men of the compond did all of this under the right and freedom of religion, but isn't what they are doing pushing their so called religious beliefs on others, namely the young defensless women, for their personal enjoyment and satisfaction? I think the reason these religious cults focus on the very young women is because they are seen as less able to defend themselves and therefore are much easier to coerce.
Veronica V.
I don't think that this is in any way an issue of freedom of religion. I think religions have been established and followed and passed down through centuries over time. It sounds like he can just do what he want, call it a religious cult and then want to be excused from punishment that comes along with it.
I don't believe that this case can be justified according to the claim of religous freedom. It is evident by the call of the one sixteen year old girl that these girls are being forced to do something they don't want to do. I don't think that these men should escape being fully prosecuted because they are in fact commiting rape.
Even if an argument was to be made for religious freedom, reading the article it said that any of the woman could return to the compound if they wanted, therefore, its not even kind of infringing on anyones rights, they are simply taking children away to be evaluated and make sure they are okay.
Not that I would argue that this infringes on any sort of religious freedom, this sounds like a very horrible place that has little or nothing to do with any religion that could exist withing legal and ethical boundries.
I think that this is crazy, when men who are 50 years old are marrying young girls that are 14. how is it that anyone would think that this is right. When you are 14 you can't make real choices for your life. Brian washing is a crime, and people should be punished for it. This issue has nothing to do with religion, no religion would okay taking advantage of people.
This is not infringing on religion. It said in the article that many of those women and children did not want to go back to the sect. People being held against their will in a community like this is like a hostage situation; it has nothing to do with their "religion". It's sad that even the other women in this community don't stop these men from taking advantage of their sisters, daughters, and mothers. These men are taking advantage of children who have grown up in a crazy world who don't know any better. They should be punished... harshly.
I do not think this is an issue of religious freedom. I can't even believe that a leader believes in such horrible beliefs. I think that there should be no reason why a person should
endanger the safety of a child. Sometimes I wonder what goes through peoples heads. To use your religious beliefs
to get out of a jail sentence is crazy. He should be punished for the rape of little girls.
T.Elia
This seems like a pretty sketchy and creepy place. I think that the parties involved should be punished accordingly. Even though it is their religion, it is still breaking the law. Religions should have to alter certain rules to adjust to the changing world. Yes, in biblical days, men took wives at young ages, but at that time, the average age of death was like 40. Yes, Jeffs is just being by the book, but many religions have had to adjust certain aspects over time to keep up with the time, Jeffs refuses to do so becuase he is a pervert and a manipulator, and has these people all brainwashed.
Just like my fellow classmates I think that this is a different situation. I would say that as long as this was what the girls wanted and we were going against what these girls believed in or wanted to do then yes it would violate their religious freedom but if these girls have no control of or desire to do what they are doing, then it has nothing to do with religious freedom. Then we also have the problem of do girls of such age know what they want or are they too young? It's a fairly shaky subject when we take other countries and their laws and rituals into consideration. But in general I see this as a very wrong act that shouldn't be allowed.
I have to agree with the previous comment. Religious or not, these girls are 14 years old and you cannot expect them to make their own decisions. They do not know any better. I think trying to hide behind religion for this inappropriate behavior is inexcusable. They should be punished accordingly for rape of a minor. The girls were brainwashed and completely taken advantage of and personally I believe that it makes religion in general look bad because I doubt anyone believes in a god that allows them to have sex with young girls. Not only should they be punished for rape, but holding these young girls at the compound when they didn’t want to be there. The idea of them escaping without proper punishment is despicable.
Ashley G.
I agree, the sexual abuse or forcing a young girl to marriage within this absurd cult/subculture environment is definitely not an infringment of freedom of religion. That is outrageous. No religion condones the marriage of family members or marriage between a 50 yr old man and a 15 yr old girl, or polygamy for that matter. I am glad our government is taking this as seriously as they are.
This situation is an interesting one. Whereas, Warren Jeffs group claims religious independence and therefore should be afforded the exemptions and privacy of a legitimate religion. But, being a cult whith a shady past any acusations of illegal activity or abuse should be taken seriously. I think in the interest of the young and those being held against their will the police acted prudently.
C. Leahy
I think the government has ever right to raid the compound and investigate alleged claims of sexual abuse and misconduct. This group is a religious organization but that does not exclude them from criminal behavior. This is not about religious freedom. It is about young women being taken advantaged of and raped. It is not infringing on religious freedom. They committed a crime that should be punished. This cult has been under investigation several times over several years for sexual misconduct and other relating crimes. The main leader, Warren Jeffs is currently in prison for alleged rape and sexual misconduct. The government has ever right to take legal custody of the children and place them into foster care. But I think the children are at a loss either way. On the compound they are victims of sexual abuse but the governments actions are effecting the children as well. They are separated from there way of life on the compound and from family and friends. So in the end the children are the real victims, whether they are abused or forced into foster care.
This is definitely not a situation of religious infringement. Using the facade of a religion in order to take advantage of young girls is just despicable using the sames principles to "spread your seed and prepare for the coming of god" is utter nonsense. I really can't understand how people get sucked into this kind of situation,where they give up their entire lives and participate in this type of behavior. Maybe there is something psychological, but I would like for someone to explain why they would choose this type of lives for them selves and allow their children to be swept up in it.
-in this case the women taken from the compound many have returned in the past few days, not seeing anything wrong with their treatment. This is commonly referred to the Stockholm’s syndrome, where a captor begins to sympathize with their captor. It’s just to sad that all of these girls will never be able to lead healthy live because of the trauma they faced as children. All these women are now predisposed to abuse and or molest their children
This is not infringement on religious freedom. Enclosing people on a compound where children are not able to leave, especially when female children are being sexually and physicall assaulted, made to marry and have children of their own at ages as young as thirteen. And polygamy is illegal. Even if that was the only question here it's illegal and therefore not infringing on religious freedom. When children are brought into the equation and not being protected as they should be, religious freedom takes a backseat and criminal liability becomes paramount.
Caitlyn C
I agree with many of the above comments. This is something that is beyond religious bounds, because no faith with ever enteration any of these behaviors. Its a sick cycle that Jeffs has palced these women and children and and they may not know any better having lived like this since birth. Jeffs should gets whats coming to him - and the feds have been on his tail for years now , and its a hope that these girls and women can get back to some type of normality because what they were invovled in , is not healthy or right at all
I'm sure that Warren Jeff had religious beliefs before and decided to branch out into his own view of the religion. This is probably why Jeff considered himself a "prophet." Jeff probably loved the power of a leader and took his religious beliefs to another level. But being the leader of a religious cult does not give one the right to give justify criminal acts as apart of their religion. Polygamy and sex with a minor are illegal. This sitaution should not be justified as religious freedom.
This is definitely not infringing on the freedom of religion. Polygamy is clearly controversial and not approved by the majority of the population. The main concern of this cult is that minors are being taken as wives and forced to have children before they are legally able to give consent. Cults are known for brainwashing and obviously this one has succeeded in a very big way. Many of the children who were taken away from the compound are free to go back but are refusing to. I think that says it all. Clearly not everyone is voluntarily involved with the cult. I also found out that the older boys are usually ostricized from the cult because they pose a threat to the other men and do not want to have to compete for the girls that reside in the cult. This is just upsetting that so many people, especially children, are forced to be a part of this cult.
This is in no way enfringing on religious freedom. This is America and we have laws against sexual relations with minors and having multiple wives. I find it hard to believe that these young girls are freely marrying older men and the fact that some are pregnant or have babies is sickening. Not only should the young children born on the ranch be taken, but any young girls under the age of consent should be taken away as well to prevent any future harm.
Matt Loucks
Religions are touchy subject in our country and are granted full protection by the Constitution. If a group of people or religion wants to practice polygamy with consenting adults I don't think it should illegal. With that is what they want to believe in they should be allowed. I cannot agree however that these middle age men should be targeting young naive girls that have been raised brainwashed for their sexual practices. The young girls are targeted because real women are not stupid enough to listen to those disgusting psychos. If escalation occurs at this compound it probably could turn into a bad situation. I feel extremely bad for the children, who have had no choice to be raised that way. I also feel bad for the women who probably have been subject to much physical and psychological abuse but they at least had a choice at some point. Unfortunately they obviously made the wrong decision for their children and themselves. You could let the men burn for all I care.
-Eric Spaulding
This is one of the postings that has really disturbed me the most. The problem with this is that the girls within the group do not have an option. They are forced to marry and have children against their will. Many are way to young to understand the full ramifications. As much as religious freedom is important, any group that does not allow member to leave, or protects the children within the group is extremely misguided. I'm happy that the state become involved here, and hope the best for the children.
It is difficult to balance cultural and religious norms with common social norms. However, this is not a case of respecting their First Amendment rights, it is an issue about the safety and well being of children not to be used as as sexual objects. Alleging infringement of the right to freedom of religion here is preposterous and a sad cop out....at best.
-Rose B.
I don't believe this situation has anything to do with relgious freedom. Just because the church is involved in the ranch, does not mean that the society there is a religious based one. The young women who live there are being exploited and think they were saved. In a close knit place like this, a man has a better chance of getting away with rape crimes and its a good thing they caught this guy.
It is clear that something is not right with this group. The leader is already in jail for rape of a young girl and now the police get a phone call saying there is physical and sexual abuse on the ranch. The group broke away from Mormonism with one of their different beliefs being that they should be able to have multiple wives. This is not infringing on freedom of religion and is a different situation entirely, especially if the girls are being raped and forced to marry. B. Brown
While religious freedom is an important liberty to safe-guard, this is a pretty extreme scenario in which a group is attempting to use that religious freedom to circumvent the law. In the same way that church and state are separated due to inherent conflicts of interest, it is necessary for the law to be applied objectively here. If laws are broken, religion is no justification for it.
I agree with the last post in that, in a nation as diverse as ours, religious freedom is a right that must be protected. However, no rational religion would tolerate such treatment of innocent children. Regardless of issues of religion, the fact is that these men took advantage of young women and deserve to be punished for their actions.
Post a Comment