Texas Pulls 52 Kids From Sect Compound

Rape charge sparks move at Warren Jeffs' polygamy site
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 4, 2008 7:20 PM CDT
Texas Pulls 52 Kids From Sect Compound
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints compound under construction near Eldorado, Texas.   (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam, File)

Texas authorities pulled 52 kids from the compound of a polygamous sect today after a girl said she was raped there, the Houston Chronicle reports. Eighteen of the children were bussed out by court order, based on claims of abuse or neglect, and put into temporary custody. State troopers are also seeking a suspect at the compound, which was founded by jailed polygamist Warren Jeffs.

"The actions we've taken today have nothing to do with religion or lifestyle," said a child welfare spokesman. "The pure interest is in protecting children from abuse and neglect." Jeffs was convicted last year in Utah of being an accomplice to raping a teenager, and is now in an Arizona jail awaiting trial for incest and other charges. (More polygamy stories.)

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