Sen. Harry Reid Wants DOJ to Investigate Polygamists
John Manning
FLDS Children Moved, Samples Sent, Senate Leader Speaks and FLDS Men On
The Run?
DigitalJournal.Com, Apr 23, 2008
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/253719
[All links at website]
A new element in a case that has been constantly changing and moving
forward, is reported today. Senate Leader, Harry Reid, is requesting the
Justice Department review federal efforts to combat child abuse and
criminal activity in polygamous communities.
Updating on the child custody issue for the FLDS children, the Senate
leader's request is just the latest in reports coming out today. Others
include the DNA samples already collected from all the children and some
adults, being sent to the lab, more children being moved to their
temporary homes, lawyers complaining and news that the FLDS men might be
running to avoid charges.
Three weeks after the removal of 437 children from the Yearning for Zion
(YFZ) Ranch, which is a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (FLDS) compound, for allegations of abuse after Child
Protective Services said they witnessed evidence of abuse, the state has
finished taking the children's DNA samples and some of the parents, and
have sent it to Alamance County, where LabCorp will be doing the testing
for Texas state to determine family lines for the children.
Texas State District Judge Barbara Walther ordered the DNA tests last
week after a two day hearing in which she determined that the children
would stay in state custody pending further investigation.
Yesterday over 100 children were moved to their temporary foster
facilities, teenage mothers being kept with their babies and large
groups of children being placed into facilities together, because the
state felt it best to keep as many siblings together as possible.
CPS has been having a difficult time determining what children are
siblings because the children have given different names are not always
sure what family they belong to and some could not identify their
biological parents, hence the DNA testing.
Today more children were taken to 16 different facilities across Texas,
where they will stay until their DNA results are in as well as the
parents, at which time they will travel back to the court to determine
if they will be placed back at their homes or if Texas state will retain
custody.
The children's parents are again returning to the Schleicher County
Memorial Building today to undergo a cheek swab, be photographed and
assigned a number. Not many showed up on Tuesday. Texas attorney
general's spokeswoman Janece Rolfe said those who do not show could face
fines or jail time.
"The court order is clear that being found in contempt of court
could be a consequence," she said.
Rolfe also says that by not cooperating, "They jeopardize their ability
to have their children returned."
Lawyers are also in court today in front of Judge Walther, complaining
about the children being moved to their foster homes and want to tour
the facilities.
Other news coming out today is something that was mentioned on Nancy
Grace last night and which the New Yorks Times is alleging today.
Not only are some of the parents that were ordered to provide the DNA
samples to be matched with what child is theirs, are not showing up to
provide those samples, but some of the fathers are being reported as
allegedly leaving town to avoid criminal charges that may be filed on
them should they be determined to have impregnated the children from the
ranch.
An estimated 175 adults in the group are also supposed to
participate in the genetic testing, although some of the men were said
to have left the state to avoid possible criminal charges.
With that said, there are a number of mothers that are showing up and
providing the DNA samples.
In the meantime, Senate Leader Harry Reid, sent a letter to the Attorney
General, Michael B. Mukasey, expressing his concern about the "pervasive
criminal activity" by polygamist groups in the southwestern United
States, as underscored by the raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints compound in Texas.
Reid previously wrote to then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in
September 2006 saying the federal government should work with state
officials to address the "broader pattern of serious criminal conduct by
all those who use multiple marriages to abuse women and children."
Reid goes further when he states, "The recent raid of one polygamist
compound in Texas uncovered many of these problems. But Texas may just
be the tip of the iceberg."
From the raid on the FLDS compound, to the removal of the children and
the subsequent court hearings, judges orders, DNA tests and relocating
the children to their foster homes, all of this has been handled by the
state and some may feel that each state should take care of the problem
themselves.
Reid does continue on to make another point:
"The problem remains acute," Reid, a Nevada Democrat, wrote, noting
that some polygamists have isolated themselves by setting up tightly
controlled towns, with officials discouraging victims of polygamy from
seeking help.
Reid continues with, "In the fact of such corruption, state and local
law enforcement is often inadequate. Federal assistance is vital."
Gerry Ford
"John Manning" <jrob...@terra.com.br> wrote in message
news:mdqdnQA3CtB6qozV...@giganews.com...
bunch of snaggle-tooths in TX is what anybody needs to focus on as opposed
to this neocon cabal?
I don't care, throw them off welfare.
He is a constitutional officer who needs to concentrate on Wyoming Cheney.
--
"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you
and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most
awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love."
~~ Butch Hancock