The stated reason for removing all of those people from their home is very slim.
They need to be a bit more specific.
Well, they do have to investigate the complaint of a 16-year-old girl who has been forced to marry a 50-year-old lecher and bear his child. And since the girl appears to have indicated that other girls have been harmed or may be at risk of being harmed, the authorities would be derelict if they didn’t investigate further.
Some additional info:
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2008/apr/05/official-on-children-at-flds-ranch-it-is-not-for/
The girl called 911 more than once, apparently asking for help. She was also 15 when impregnated, and girls under 16 cannot be legally married in Texas, even with parental consent.
Seems to me that there is plenty of reason for authorities to take a look and that it would be unthinkable to ignore that child’s cry for help.
“Establish justice . . . promote the general welfare, secure the blessings of liberty,” and all that.
I agree. I'm starting to suspect their true motivation behind this raid on the sect. I sure hope cooler heads will prevail so we don't end up with another Camp Davidian assault and massacre.