FLDS attorney challenges Texas count of pregnant minors from polygamous sect [Not 20, but maybe 3]

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 4 25 08 | Brooke Adams

[Howdy there]

An attorney for FLDS families in Texas today challenged the state's claim of a pervasive pattern of underage girls having children, saying the state's own documents show that just two teenagers in custody are pregnant.

Snip
Of the three teenagers listed as pregnant, Parker said, one is about to turn 18 and another refused to take a pregnancy test, he said.

"That leaves us with one," he said. Based on that list, Parker said, "I challenge the CPS to come forward with the pregnant minors."

Chris Van Deusen, a CPS spokesman, said, "The only thing we can say is we're aware that there are 20 girls who became pregnant, and they were between the ages of 13 and 16.

"That's not to say that there are 20 now, but at the time theyconceived, they were 13, 14, 15 or 16," he said. "That establishes that there is some sexual abuse here."

Parker said the 20 minors the state has identified either as pregnant or mothers actually had children over a 10-year period.

[Damifino]

Are you suggesting that public school teachers advocate and conspire to commit welfare fraud or child rape?<\i>

Teaching a 13 year-old how to use a condom would at least make them an accomplice. Would it not?

[allmendream]

I think using a condom would avoid the welfare fraud part, as pregnancy is usually prevented by use of a condom. And condom use in now way denotes that the sex involved would be rape. Sex between two minors is not (AFAIK) considered statutory rape; it is a horrible mistake, but it isn’t rape.

[Damifino]

My issue with this mess is that these children are being separated from their mothers. Why? Isn't everyone in agreement that the moms are victims too? Why are the moms and kids being treated this way?

[brytlea]

I used to think they were Christians, but I’m pretty sure they deny the divinity of Christ, would would make them not Christian.
susie

[brytlea]

And I do think (off topic, but you brought it up) that when a 12-14 year old girl is pregnant, there should be every effort made to discern who the father is, and if he’s over the age for whatever the state is, he should be charged. And in some cases charges SHOULD be filed against parents.
But that has zip to do with the case at hand.
susie

[CholeraJoe]

Notice that the only wife not smiling is the young one?

[brytlea]

I taught health (sex ed) in TX. The state curriculum there is abstinence based. I didn’t teach anyone anything about condoms EXCEPT for the failure rate. Of course, it’s way more fun to say that teachers are teaching kids to have sex.
Sheesh.
susie

[brytlea]

I'm sure that in order to get information from the kids they have to be separated from all of the adults in the commune.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Not really off-topic; I presume that’s one of the reasons for DNA testing, to find out if any of the fathers was old enough to be charged with statutory rape.

[brytlea]

In this case, yes, but I don’t know that they DNA test all pregnant under age girls. However, I think they should. I would like to see them enforce statutory rape laws in light of the problems we have in this country with fatherless babies, and also force the fathers to support their kids, rather than the taxpayers doing it.
susie