Appeals court rules Texas acted improperly in seizing FLDS children

[madmusic]

SAN ANGELO, Texas -- A state appellate court has ruled that child welfare officials had no right to seize more than 400 children living at a polygamist sect's ranch.
The Third Court of Appeals in Austin ruled that the grounds for removing the children were "legally and factually insufficient" under Texas law.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_9347022

The opinion: http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2008/0522/20080522_114730_Mandamus%20Decision.pdf

And all those who justified the gestapo raid, IMO, forfeited any right to complain abut Bush's attacks on civil liberties.

[murray hill farm]

1. Absolutely!

What they have done there is beyond belief. Thank god the texas appeals court has ruled as it has...perhaps now some sanity will appear in this matter, What has happened there is horrid.

[hlthe2b]

2. While the tactics are hard to justify, I do not agree it is so

"cut and dry." This whole scenario strikes me as the epitomy of "damned if you do, damned if you do not," in terms of balancing both the civil rights of the parents and the need to protect these kids.

This is one situation where one needs to be able to see both sides of the argument, IMO. I do believe the court will have the opportunity to bring some sense of boundaries to those involved.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

3. There will be allot of crow served up on this thread today..

[kestrel91316]

4. The Cult of Rape and Enslavement is cheering today.

This is a sad day in TX, IMHO.

Whatever. Let the kids go back home. The FLDS is gonna implode from their genetic mess soon anyway. ALL their kids will be born retarded and crippled within another two generations........

[madmusic]

5. Texas officials concede at least 15 sect mothers adults

By Michelle Roberts
Associated Press Writer
Article Last Updated: 05/22/2008 11:16:52 AM MDT

Posted: 11:15 AM- SAN ANGELO, Texas -- At least half the mothers taken from a polygamist sect's ranch and put in child foster care have now been declared adults, significantly chipping at agency statistics that seemed to demonstrate the widespread sexual abuse of underage girls.
Attorneys for the state's Child Protective Services agency have been conceding, one by one, that many of the mothers authorities cited as evidence that the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints committed widespread sexual abuse of girls are actually adults.
They had admitted by midday Thursday that 15 of the 31 mothers listed as underage are adults; one is actually 27. A few are as young as 18, but many are at least 20.
Another girl listed as an underage mother is 14, but her attorney said in court she is not pregnant and does not have a child.
CPS officials in April raided a ranch run by the FLDS, contending that a widespread pattern of underage girls forced into marriages and sex put all the children - more than 440 - at risk. Those children, ranging from infants to teenagers, have been the subject this week of custody hearings designed to help parents learn what they must do to get their children back.
More mothers listed as underage are likely to be reclassified as adults in coming days

http://www.sltrib.com/polygamy/ci_9346914

[uppityperson]

6. Why start another topic about what you're already discussing here...

Unless you just want your own topic? Or is it to call out any DUers who justify removing kids from abusive situations (and I think group calling out is against the rules).
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3325735&mesg_id=3325735

[musette_sf]

7. to call the rescue of those children a "gestapo raid"

shows your ignorance of history, and your dismissal of the dignity and human rights of those children.