Posts Tagged ‘Tom Green County’

Texas High Court Says Sect Kids Should Go Back

Wednesday, June 8th, 2005

AssociatedPress asked:


PlusTexas High Court Says Sect Kids Should Go BackTexas High Court Says Sect Kids Should Go BackThe Associated PressThe Texas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that child welfare officials overstepped their authority and the children of a polygamist sect should go back to their parents. The AP’s John Mone reports. (May 29)****PKG*** [[VO: file shots of kids marching on to buses. insert shot tx supreme court. shots of kids playing in fort concho ]]{{SUPER: San Angelo, TX, April 2008}} [[TRACK]]HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN BELONGING TO A TEXAS POLYGAMIST SECT WILL LIKELY RETURN HOME…THANKS TO A DECISION FROM THE STATE’S SUPREME COURT. THE RULING SAYS CHILD WELFARE OFFICIALS OVERSTEPPED THEIR BOUNDS BY SEIZING AROUND 430 KIDS FROM THEIR PARENTS. [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Willie Jessop//FLDS Elder]]”and i know that this courthouse to the way we feel is well marked. it clearly states a crime scene. and it circles this courthouse as a crime scene.” [[VO: wide shot of willie at presser. shot of crime scene tape at court. shot of courthouse]] [[TRACK]]WILLIE JESSOP IS A MEMBER OF THE BREAKAWAY MORMON POLYGAMIST GROUP, CALLED THE FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS. HE REFERRED TO TAPE SURROUNDING THE TOM GREEN COUNTY COURTHOUSE. A JUDGE IN THAT COURT OKAYED THE STATE’S ACTIONS. [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Willie, cont.]]” it will be a great day when there is fathers and mothers hugging little children that were ripped away from them.” [[VO: pictures of raid. footage of ranch when we went on site]] [[TRACK]]AUTHORITIES RAIDED THE POLYGAMIST COMPOUND CALLED THE YEARNING FOR ZION RANCH IN APRIL. ALL BECAUSE OF A PHONE CALL Purportedly FROM A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL IN THE COMPOUND WHO CLAIMED HER MIDDLE AGED HUSBAND BEAT AND ABUSED HER. SO FAR, THE GIRL HASN’T TURNED UP AND INVESTIGATORS ARE CHECKING TO SEE IF IT WAS A HOAX. [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Rod Parker//FLDS Spokesman]]”i call upon the state and CPS to end this nightmare they’re putting these children and parents through.” [[STAND UP]] [[SUPER: John Mone//The Associated Press]]”the ruling specifically applies to 124 kids..but likely effects all of them. the district court judge who originally sided with state has been ordered to return the children from state custody to their parents. it’s unclear how soon that will happen.” [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Rod Parker//FLDS Spokesman]]”i think the parents are ready to go the shelters to pick up their children. the question is can they pick up their children yet…” [[VO: photos of kids in foster homes, dissolves to buses]] [[TRACK]]THE KIDS ARE STILL SCATTERED AROUND TEXAS IN MORE THAN A DOZEN DIFFERENT FOSTER HOMES. [[INSERT GRAPHIC]] [[READ THROUGH...SOURCE: TX Child Protective Services]]IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT CHILD WELFARE OFFICIALS EXPRESSED DISMAY …SAYING “We are disappointed, but we understand and respect the court’s decision.” [[VO: shots of ranch, flds cavorting with kids from a distance, cutaway of willie jessop]] [[TRACK]]CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES BELIEVED THE RANCH WAS HARMFUL TO CHILDREN…SAYING REGARDLESS OF THE NOW DUBIOUS PHONE TIP…SOCIAL WORKERS FOUND EVIDENCE OF GROWN MEN IMPREGNATING UNDERAGE GIRLS. THE SECT DENIES THE ABUSE ALLEGATIONS. IT SEPARATED FROM THE MORMON CHURCH MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, WHEN THE MAINSTREAM FAITH RENOUNCED POLYGAMY. F-L-D-S MEMBERS NOW BELIEVE THEY’RE VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION… [[SOT]] [[SUPER: Willie Jessop//FLDS Member]]”there’s catastrophic, emotional damage done to this families. permanent damage…it’ll last a life time.” [[TRACK]]JOHN MONE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN ANGELO, TEXAS. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: JOHN MONE ————————-VIDEO PRODUCER: MONE/WALDON ——————————VIDEO SOURCE: APTN AND AP PHOTOS ————————–VIDEO APPROVAL: DONNA STARRDARD ——————————VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: NONE ———————————-

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