The title is incorrect. The judge didn’t compare the kids to a Charles Manson cult she compared the mother and the kids to Charles Manson cult. And she’s right. Cult members shut out non-cult family members. They prefer to live in a world of their own creation with their own set of rules.
The primary effect of the judge’s action is to remove the children from their ‘cult leader’.
Whatever the reason for removing minor children- has there been a similar contemptpt threat to the mother? If not, wh not? The judge certainly could do that.