In a lot of cases the parents have control, not the cult leader. We can’t have the government making that distinction or definition anyway, there needs to be specific laws applied equally to individuals, not to groups.
Thanks for your reply:
>>In a lot of cases the parents have control, not the cult leader. <<
I think that is definitely not the case in the FLDS. Jeffs was convicted of ordering the 14 year old to marry her cousin against her will - the parents acquiesced. Obedience is the primary requirement. They are taught that the children belong to the prophet and he has removed parents, “re-assigned” children many times.
I understand it’s difficulty, but I think the question of “would you do what Warren Jeffs said with your minor children, even if it were...” could and should be asked.