Letters to the Editor
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@Xanthro
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89695220
Wade Goodwin reports: "the state alleges it has received multiple pregant minors" including "one 16yo girl who has reportedly given birth to 4 children already."
The words I am quoting happen at around the 3 minute mark in the report.
Now, as you say, this is second-hand information (an npr reporter quoting state allegations), which is not the same as first-hand documentation. But, it's hardly "Pssst! Some girl has a litter of kids! Pass it on!"
As for math, it is entirely possible, plauible even, that a young girl could give birth to twins. But even if she has endured 5 single-baby pregnancies, popping out a kid a year is certainly plausible in a community that wants quiverfuls of children.
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This is a hate based attack
on a peaceful sect.
If there is a case of abuse reported in Peoria, do all the children in that city get taken away?
IT makes no sense, but it goes along with the feminist doctrine advocating a fascist police state with absolute power. Another reason to despise feminists.
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@Xanthro: corroboration in writing
this links a story in today's Christian Science Monitor:
http://www.alternet.org/rights/82663/
About halfway down the page:
"Court documents show that while investigators searched the ranch for Sarah, they found girls under 16 who were either pregnant or already mothers, including a 16-year-old who had four children. The documents allege a widespread practice of church elders arranging so-called spiritual marriages of girls once they reached puberty. Spiritual marriages are not legal unions in Texas."
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Thank you Juliebird
For both this article, and the NPR report.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/82663/
About halfway down the page:
"Court documents show that while investigators searched the ranch for Sarah, they found girls under 16 who were either pregnant or already mothers, including a 16-year-old who had four children. The documents allege a widespread practice of church elders arranging so-called spiritual marriages of girls once they reached puberty. Spiritual marriages are not legal unions in Texas."
While it increasingly appears that numerous underage "marriages" were performed, the wording of the above concerns me because it's too similiar to
Court documents, in which Texas sought judicial approval to search the Yearning for Zion ranch and to take temporary custody of the children, state that many of the men had multiple wives and that several girls younger than 16 were either pregnant or already mothers as a consequence of a "spiritual marriage" to an older man. Texas law prohibits polygamy and marriages before 16 years of age.
The latter is solely based on an informant and was the basis for the warrant, but it's not based on something CPS saw and confirmed.
If the former section is actually based on confirmed evidence, then indictments need to be issued against the "husbands." I hope it's not just a lazy writer, rearranging words. Unfortunately, I've seen that, and it's most annoying.
I wish they didn't disclose the anonymous caller’s first name, if she is real, then she is the victim of sexual violence and her name should not be disclosed. Her last name is too easily derived from the indictment against her “husband.”
I think it's clear that some if not many 16 and 17 year old girls were "married" which violates Texas law since these won't be legal marriages with a State License, and Texas common law marriage does not apply to those under 18. So a crime has been committed, girls younger than 16 is both a legally, and to me morally, greater offense.
The States started it's case today and lead off with two 17 year olds and one 18 year old.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080417/ap_on_re_us/polygamist_retreat;_ylt=AhZ2u3TPDOxmlDlVEmzoXJKs0NUE
I would have expected them to lead with younger "brides" if confirmed, but that could just be strategy and could be meaningless.
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@Xanthro
Agreed. The "husbands" are the perps who need to be prosecuted. One problem is that it's really difficult to understand who is who's wife or daughter, because there are very few surnames in the group. And of course, no one's cooperating. The state is asking for DNA samples (cheek swabs) from fathers, mothers and children, to match up everyone. Until that happens, I don't think they know who to charge.
As for the similarity in writing ... I take your point. However, my take on the writing I read was that CPS went to the compound, *saw* several girls under age 18 with pregnant bellies or with nursing infants, and were told that these girls were "wives". So .... I'm ok with the wording.