They're called the "Lost Boys," the teenagers kicked out of their homes "Estimates are that we've had more than 1,000 children - primarily in southern Utah - thrown out of their homes,"… to ensure there's an ample supply of single, young women who will one day become plural wives.
H.B. 23 adds child abandonment to the definition of child abuse, and makes it a felony crime.
Ok, how about some very basic questions.
How old are these teenagers? If they are eighteen or nineteen they are legally adults.
In a court of law how are you going to establish the reason for turning these “boys” out of the house.
Isn’t child abandonment already illegal in Utah? If it is not already a felony I suspect it is at least a class 1 misdemeanor. What would be the benefit to the “boys” to making their parents felons?
I am not a Mormon and really have little sympathy for the religion but I have great antipathy to those who wish to invade the inner sanctum of the family with out overwhelming need. Government should stay out of the home if at all possible. More often than not government will do more harm than good.
God save us from government officials with good intensions.
Re. How old are these teenagers? If they are eighteen or nineteen they are legally adults.
The boys are typically 12-14 years old when they are dumped. When the boys enter puberty and begin to notice girls, they are regarded as competitors by the senior males in their polygamous sect and are then driven from the cult.
More about the young men HERE.
Re. Isn’t child abandonment already illegal in Utah?
That is a question for an attorney licensed in Utah. I would guess it is to some extent, and I would guess the current statutes poorly enforced and/or carry light penalties or the abandonment practice would not be so widespread.
Re. What would be the benefit to the “boys” to making their parents felons?
The most commonly given reasons for imposing criminal sanctions is to punish persons who commit terrible acts and thereby deter others from doing the same thing.
Re. Government should stay out of the home if at all possible.
Personally, I agree with that statement in general, but believe protecting children from endangerment, including abuse and abandonment, is a warranted intrusion.