ASUFrisbeeStud
04-06-2008, 08:40 PM
ELDORADO - Nearly 220 women and children removed from the secretive polygamist sect's compound in Schleicher County have been relocated this afternoon to San Angelo so state child case workers can better interview them in a neutral setting, officials said today.
The state's Child Protective Services agency has removed 159 children from the compound, which local and state authorities are in their fourth day of searching.
CPS moved the women and children because San Angelo has more resources to provide both the girls and case workers.
"We are still in the midst of interview them," said Marleigh Meisner, CPS spokeswoman, adding that CPS still has yet to identify the 16-year-old girls whose phone calls last weekend led to the Thursday night raid of the compound.
The women and children who were removed from the compound were bused to Fort Concho National Historic Landmark in San Angelo, where Meisner said they could be housed in one place and medical and other services would be more accessible. Most of those who boarded buses in Eldorado were women and girls, dressed in long pastel dresses. Many were carrying bedding.
The state Department of Family and Protective Services has offices in the Ralph Chase building next to the fort.
The raid appeared to culminate Saturday night when a group of followers of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints followers refused admittance to the group's temple. Dozens of Texas Rangers forced their way in without incident.
No one was injured during the search of the temple, said Allison Palmer, first assistant 51st district attorney.
"There's not much to say today," Palmer said. "They were there out of an abundance of caution and it wasn't needed.
"That's the best news," Palmer said, adding that ambulances and other emergency personnel brought to scene in preparation for incursion into temple were not put to use.
A 50-year-old man is accused of fathering a child with a sect member at the FLDS' Yearn for Zion Ranch northeast of Eldorado. A search warrant issued Thursday led to the raid of the ranch late last week and the incursion into the temple late Saturday.
Needs met
Officials are not accepting any donations on behalf of the more than 220 women and children now staying at Fort Concho, said San Angelo Assistant City Manager Elizabeth Grindstaff.
'Even though we know the public is interested,' Grindstaff said, 'there are no unmet needs.'
The state's Child Protective Services agency has removed 159 children from the compound, which local and state authorities are in their fourth day of searching.
CPS moved the women and children because San Angelo has more resources to provide both the girls and case workers.
"We are still in the midst of interview them," said Marleigh Meisner, CPS spokeswoman, adding that CPS still has yet to identify the 16-year-old girls whose phone calls last weekend led to the Thursday night raid of the compound.
The women and children who were removed from the compound were bused to Fort Concho National Historic Landmark in San Angelo, where Meisner said they could be housed in one place and medical and other services would be more accessible. Most of those who boarded buses in Eldorado were women and girls, dressed in long pastel dresses. Many were carrying bedding.
The state Department of Family and Protective Services has offices in the Ralph Chase building next to the fort.
The raid appeared to culminate Saturday night when a group of followers of Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints followers refused admittance to the group's temple. Dozens of Texas Rangers forced their way in without incident.
No one was injured during the search of the temple, said Allison Palmer, first assistant 51st district attorney.
"There's not much to say today," Palmer said. "They were there out of an abundance of caution and it wasn't needed.
"That's the best news," Palmer said, adding that ambulances and other emergency personnel brought to scene in preparation for incursion into temple were not put to use.
A 50-year-old man is accused of fathering a child with a sect member at the FLDS' Yearn for Zion Ranch northeast of Eldorado. A search warrant issued Thursday led to the raid of the ranch late last week and the incursion into the temple late Saturday.
Needs met
Officials are not accepting any donations on behalf of the more than 220 women and children now staying at Fort Concho, said San Angelo Assistant City Manager Elizabeth Grindstaff.
'Even though we know the public is interested,' Grindstaff said, 'there are no unmet needs.'