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.
Thank you for the link. The article has much more information about the case, and I feel less skeptical toward it.
Well said. Everyone is probably better off looking the other way when a streetwise 15 year old has sex with her 18 y/o boyfriend, but these girls have no real choice or options, they can’t exactly say, “No, I’d rather wait until I’m 25 and finish college”, or “No, but it you were less than 3 times my age, I’d date you.”.
They’re stuffed inside this polygamist cult hideout for a reason, and it’s not for their developmental benefit. They’re brainwashed into the lifestyle and escape is made very difficult.
I’d support raiding the place for a parking ticket.
What about post #20 that seems to indicate that girls down to 14 can legally marry with parental permission...?