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| Texas removes polygamy sect girls | Texas removes polygamy sect girls |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Authorities in the US state of Texas have removed 52 girls from the ranch of the polygamist sect led by Warren Jeffs as part of a child abuse investigation. | Authorities in the US state of Texas have removed 52 girls from the ranch of the polygamist sect led by Warren Jeffs as part of a child abuse investigation. |
| Eighteen of the girls, aged between 6 months and 17, are in state custody. The rest are being found foster homes. | Eighteen of the girls, aged between 6 months and 17, are in state custody. The rest are being found foster homes. |
| Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was jailed in November for 10 years for being an accomplice to rape. | Jeffs, head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was jailed in November for 10 years for being an accomplice to rape. |
| He was convicted after he forced a 14-year-old girl to marry her cousin. | He was convicted after he forced a 14-year-old girl to marry her cousin. |
| The self-proclaimed prophet is currently awaiting trial in Arizona on charges of being an accomplice to four counts of incest and sexual conduct with a minor stemming from two arranged marriages. | The self-proclaimed prophet is currently awaiting trial in Arizona on charges of being an accomplice to four counts of incest and sexual conduct with a minor stemming from two arranged marriages. |
| Abuse allegation | Abuse allegation |
| Officials from Texas Child Protective Services raided the sprawling ranch in Eldorado county, about 260km (160 miles) north-west of the Texan town of San Antonio, on Friday. | Officials from Texas Child Protective Services raided the sprawling ranch in Eldorado county, about 260km (160 miles) north-west of the Texan town of San Antonio, on Friday. |
| We're dealing with children that aren't accustomed to the outside world, so we're trying to be very sensitive to their needs Marleigh MeisnerTexas Child Protective Services | We're dealing with children that aren't accustomed to the outside world, so we're trying to be very sensitive to their needs Marleigh MeisnerTexas Child Protective Services |
| After the 52 girls had been removed and half of them interviewed by welfare officials, a spokeswoman announced that none would be returning to the ranch. Eighteen were legally removed into state custody. | After the 52 girls had been removed and half of them interviewed by welfare officials, a spokeswoman announced that none would be returning to the ranch. Eighteen were legally removed into state custody. |
| "We're dealing with children that aren't accustomed to the outside world, so we're trying to be very sensitive to their needs," Marleigh Meisner said. | "We're dealing with children that aren't accustomed to the outside world, so we're trying to be very sensitive to their needs," Marleigh Meisner said. |
| Ms Meisner said the investigation had begun after Child Protective Services were called by someone who alleged a 16-year-old girl had suffered physical abuse. | Ms Meisner said the investigation had begun after Child Protective Services were called by someone who alleged a 16-year-old girl had suffered physical abuse. |
| The San Antonio Times said a warrant for the search of the ranch sought records dealing with the birth of children by a 16-year-old girl and any records relating to her marriage to a 50-year-old man. Officials said the girl had not yet been found. | The San Antonio Times said a warrant for the search of the ranch sought records dealing with the birth of children by a 16-year-old girl and any records relating to her marriage to a 50-year-old man. Officials said the girl had not yet been found. |
| No arrests have been made and officials said the ranch's residents had been "assisting us in our search". | No arrests have been made and officials said the ranch's residents had been "assisting us in our search". |
| About 150 people are thought to live on the FLDS's 1,700-acre ranch in Eldorado.. | |
| The 10,000-strong sect, which dominates the towns of Colorado City in Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, split from the mainstream Mormon church more than a century ago. | The 10,000-strong sect, which dominates the towns of Colorado City in Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, split from the mainstream Mormon church more than a century ago. |
| Members believe a man must marry at least three wives in order to ascend to heaven. Women are meanwhile taught that their path to heaven depends on being subservient to their husband. | Members believe a man must marry at least three wives in order to ascend to heaven. Women are meanwhile taught that their path to heaven depends on being subservient to their husband. |
| Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of about 80 members. | Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of about 80 members. |