Warren Jeffs FLDS compound in Texas surrounded by police

[Texana]

It was just a matter of time until the TX law enforcement stepped in to let this group know we wouldn't tolerate a situation that exists on the AZ/Utah border. That one phone call was all it took.

There was nothing to stop the group from buying the land and building the facilities. They can pay property taxes and add to the local economy, which is well and good.

The slogan "Don't Mess With Texas" should not be underestimated by any group hoping to stay under the radar in any of our communities. I love that about our state!

My thoughts exactly. :clap: :clap: :clap:

People do mistake the independent spirit of Texans for apathy to all things. It's not the same at all.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Very interesting headlines in Eldorado - jackhammers now being brought in? http://www.myeldorado.net/


WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm, underground bunkers/safes...what?

 

[Glow]

IIRC, a reporter just angrily asked about families being ripped apart and they aren't receiving an answer as to why.

Im glad that someone at least asked the question. It needs to be asked.

 

[trixie]

I heard one of the reporters at the news conference today ask if cadaver dogs had been brought in. I wonder if they think someone might be buried under concrete?

 

[SuziQ]

I heard one of the reporters at the news conference today ask if cadaver dogs had been brought in. I wonder if they think someone might be buried under concrete?

Not to say it has anything to do with this case. But it's always been said that because of how women and children are moved around to the different compounds and never heard from again, they could have been murdered for all you know. Come to think of it, how are death investigations handled? They probably aren't investigated at all.

 

[WhitneyLea]

That local site just said a man has been found hiding in the brush near the temple, and was in possession of an "item."

???

 

[SuziQ]

http://www.myeldorado.net/

More at link, to paraphraise....Male suspect found hiding in brush in posession of an "item". Four children and adult hiding in a shop building. Another bus seen heading to ranch. One elderly many taken by ambulance with stroke like symtoms.

 

[barb0301]

I have a feeling that this story is going to get bigger and bigger as the days and weeks go by.

 

[SuziQ]

Thank goodness for that little paper in Eldorado, or we'd have no updates at all.

 

[concernedperson]

http://www.myeldorado.net/

More at link, to paraphraise....Male suspect found hiding in brush in posession of an "item". Four children and adult hiding in a shop building. Another bus seen heading to ranch. One elderly many taken by ambulance with stroke like symtoms.

What the heck is going on? This is uncovering a really bad situation. People are stressed and this is causing more problems.

 

[Truly]

Not to say it has anything to do with this case. But it's always been said that because of how women and children are moved around to the different compounds and never heard from again, they could have been murdered for all you know. Come to think of it, how are death investigations handled? They probably aren't investigated at all.

Good point about death certificates, SusiQ. From DeputyDawgs Texas Monthly link above (which also tells us a bit about the couple who publish the little Eldorado newspaper. And the Elgoatarod! ):
'None of the marriages are civil ceremonies or registered with the state, which prevents authorities from prosecuting the FLDS for breaking laws prohibiting bigamy or polygamy'

The temple is a nine story structure built out of concrete, and pilots photographed massive concrete foundations. I hope they are not looking for burials. Has anybody seen any photos of teenage men or boys? The news reports I have seen have only shown lines of young women and girls.

 

[SuziQ]

Has anybody seen any photos of teenage men or boys? The news reports I have seen have only shown lines of young women and girls.

I have not seen a single boy. Creepy. Anyone else?

 

[SuziQ]

The FLDS can't be immune to crime that afflicts the rest of society. They should have a reasonable amount of the same percentage that the rest of the population does. Maybe it is less, but it can't be non existent can it?

 

[barb0301]

I have not seen a single boy. Creepy. Anyone else?

I saw some young boys, under 10 I would say, but none older. Very creepy !! And I think the judge had issued orders to remove all boys under the age of 17. I'll see if I can find that link.

here it is - ordered all boys under age 18 to be removed per the Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8822573

 

[SuziQ]

In this series of pics you can see some little boys.

http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/0,4644,3720,00.html#1_0

ETA: responding to barbs post, the little boys are very young.

 

[txsvicki]

Even if it is 401 children and they all decide to stick together on the good side of the FLDS they are still children. Authorities won't let them be returned when the investigation is over IMO. I would bet there will be signs of sexual abuse in some of the 10-11 year olds and at that juncture all children will be permanently removed.

That's what I was thinking unless they go by each individual family. Take the innocent kids away and give them to decent foster families, and run those adult freaks out of Texas. We don't need them here. Of course they won't end up charging all the adults with anything.

 

[Truly]

The FLDS can't be immune to crime that afflicts the rest of society. They should have a reasonable amount of the same percentage that the rest of the population does. Maybe it is less, but it can't be non existent can it?

I would guess that the amount of petty crimes might be lower in such a tightly controlled compound. There are no TV's to steal, and probably very little private space to hide a stolen TV.

However, it is looking like the rate of the more egregious crimes, such as sexual assault against minor children, may be exponentially off the charts. Concievably, 100% of the male leaders in this case may have each had sex with dozens of minor girls. They are sexual predators who have set up the conditions to repeatedly offend their own children for generations.

 

[BhamMama]

True, and that most likely wouldn't apply to anyone under the age of 6 or whatever the school age is in Texas. It may not apply in this case, but I think witholding education from a child would at least be considered neglect.

As long as they followed Texas State standards in schooling they have every right to not allow CPS on the grounds. Texas CPS can not enter a home based on any allegations of education neglect. It's not against the law to home school in Texas in any form they wish.


Compulsory School Age
"a child who is at least six years of age, or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade, and who has not yet reached the child's 18th birthday."

There is one option:

Legal: Establish and operate a home school as a private school.
No Attendance records need be kept nor turned in to the State
Subjects: same as public schools including good citizenship.
No qualifications for parents to teach at home
They do not have to give notice that they are schooling at home
No record keeping is required to be kept nor turned in to the State
No testing is required

Basically, it's not the business of the State of Texas how they school.
Since they have such open laws on schooling I doubt it was for educational reasons. And if they cite educational reasons at any point they can be slapped with a lawsuit faster than they can say boo.


I'm having a hard time with the taking away of children of all the parents based on one phone call about a specific person. I also have a problem with them saying the mothers could leave at any time. Like they are going to just up and leave their kids in a situation not of their making.

 

[mysteriew]

On Nancy Grace they stated the women were on welfare......
So it sounds like the State of Texas was supporting them.

And there can be a motive for "marrying" the children early. The earlier they marry, the earlier they can have babies and the more babies they can have. The more babies, the more money.

They won't be getting a fortune, but when they combine that with the 'tithes' received from the ones who live off the compound it will add up. And they can keep compound expenses down by buying in bulk, making their own and doing without "in the name of God."

With what they do make off of the congregation they can then enter into financial businesses that make more money.

 

[Leila]

I've been following this story through media reports, and didn't learn until this afternoon that this was being discussed here at WS. It's taken me a while to read the entire thread.

I read quite a bit about the FLDS last year when when Warren Jeffs was arrested and went to trial.

I think many of those who are members of the FLDS know no other way of life. The sect has been around for more than 100 years, and in that time there's been many generations, especially when you consider that the girls marry so young. For the most part they are kept isolated from any outside influences. I think it's within the realm of possibility that between isolation and indoctrination, the adult members have no concept of their way of life being wrong. It's an accepted way of life.

From what I've read, the children receive limited education, certainly nothing or very little about modern science or modern history (outside of history as it pertains to the LDS/FLDS religious history). Their education revolves around what they need to know to be self sufficient within the FLDS community. They need to know how to read, write, and have basic math skills in order to plant crops, to cook, to sew clothing, etc.

Only in recent years have we learned of some leaving or being expelled from the FLDS and reporting on what goes on within the FLDS community. Its without a doubt a male dominated cult with women relegated to servitude. From what I've read, I have no doubt that abuse of children is an issue. I think that when the charges are known, the abuse will be extensive.