Court: Texas had no right to take polygamists' kids 3 minutes ago

AP via Yahoo ^ | 5/22/08

[ElkGroveDan]

SAN ANGELO, Texas - A state appellate court has ruled that child welfare officials had no right to seize more than 400 children living at a polygamist sect's ranch.

The Third Court of Appeals in Austin ruled that the grounds for removing the children were "legally and factually insufficient" under Texas law. They did not immediately order the return of the children.

Child welfare officials removed the children on the grounds that the sect pushed underage girls into marriage and sex and trained boys to become future perpetrators.

The appellate court ruled the chaotic hearing held last month did not demonstrate the children were in any immediate danger, the only measure of taking children from their homes without court proceedings.

[Awestruck]

Do you have a problem comprehending English? My last post was about as clear as I could make it.. if you can’t understand basic language, I can’t help you.

[takenoprisoner]

“Glad I’m not alone.”

Me too. Thanks

[Gondring]

Awestruck>> there is evidence that many couples had monogomous relationships.

Tennessee Nana&gtl; No theres not...

Ooh, just gotta love that Proof By Assertion!

One thing confuses me, though, Tennessee Nana... why is it that the CPS now acknowledges there were many monogamous relationships, yet you disagree. Are you calling them liars?

[Gondring]

Gotta post this one again, for eleni121...

[Gondring]

When you reach high school, please post again.

They didn't teach about comma splices at your high school, humblegunner?!?

[Gondring]

I should take seriously people [...]

Don't take seriously people. Take the frivolously people....we don't need them.

BTW, we're all still waiting for you to back up your claim with evidence that this group got welfare.

Or are you just libeling them?

[CharlesWayneCT]

I believe that. I just don’t believe the callers are told that if they don’t give a call-back number, the crisis operator won’t talk to them.

[humblegunner]

BTW, we're all still waiting for you to back up your claim with evidence that this group got welfare.

You got a mouse in your pocket?

If not welfare, where does their money come from?

They have no jobs. You figure it out.

[Arkinsaw]

Property Seizure now in the mix....

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/655725.html

[Arkinsaw]

They have no jobs. You figure it out.

I actually prefer facts to guessing.

For the ENTIRE county (2800 residents...500 at the ranch).

TANF Cash Assistance Program - 0 cases

Food Stamps - 122 county residents in Sep 2005, 203 in Apr 2008

Children’s Health Insurance Program: 111 children in January 2003; 63 children in April 2008

Medicaid: 262 people (including 160 children) in September 2006; 283 people (including 182 children) in April 2008

That is for the entire county, provided to the press by , Stephanie Goodman, a spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The FLDS in Hilldale, UT apparently had about half its residents on public assistance with allegations of fraud. However, from Texas stats it doesn't appear that the FLDS at YFZ were on public assistance in great numbers.

I guess I figured it out.

[humblegunner]

I guess I figured it out.

I guess not.

Where did their money come from?

[nomorelurker]

Humble most likely the money can mostly from out of state. Also to some small degree the ranch was selfsupporting. I have stated before why set up a cult compound intended to be isolated from the world then go running to the state for money with all the records and other interaction that requires.

[Arkinsaw]

Where did their money come from?

Maybe you should go figure it out?

From Texas spokesperson..it didn't come from much Texas public assistance. So thats a starting place for you....unless you think the spokesperson from the Texas government is lying.

Get the info on where they get their income and I will listen to the facts. I am funny that way. Gut feelings don't really add weight to the debate though.

[humblegunner]

Gut feelings don't really add weight to the debate though.

They have no jobs yet still have money.

You find that perfectly normal?

[Arkinsaw]

Humble most likely the money can mostly from out of state. Also to some small degree the ranch was selfsupporting. I have stated before why set up a cult compound intended to be isolated from the world then go running to the state for money with all the records and other interaction that requires.

Interesting article out of New Zealand:
It looks like a lot of money from
1) limestone mining
2) construction businesses
3) aircraft wheel and brake manufacturer with Pentagon contracts
4) engineering firm with contracts from Las Vegas water authority


The FLDS paid $424,000 in property taxes last year (18% of the total county revenue) third biggest taxpayer in the county

They have not claimed tax-exempt status.

Interesting stuff. It does lend credence to the charge of welfare fraud (in Utah), but I am not sure the Texas bunch is exactly what people are claiming here. Looks like they get money from enterprises other than welfare.

More figuring out...as opposed to guessing.

[Arkinsaw]

They have no jobs yet still have money.

Your statement that they don't have jobs appears (from my last post) to be the basis of the flaw in your logic.

[Gondring]

Property Seizure now in the mix....

I was wondering when this would come up, and I recall another FReeper talking about it.

Paging Saundra Duffy....Paging Saundra Duffy...

[Gondring]

Better check your link. :-)

[Arkinsaw]

Hopefully corrected link

[television is just wrong]

actually, here in california, they always take the kids, then ask questions.

My sister had a troubled teen. my sister ended up in parent classes with a lot of people she went to high school with. all have had their kids taken with a phone call.