In previous filings, CPS officials have presented records, including excerpts from Jeffs’ journals, that indicate the girl was married to Jeffs when she was 12 years old. Jeffs is the jailed leader of the FLDS, a breakaway Mormon sect that practices polygamy.
Those records indicated that the marriage ceremony was performed by the teen’s father, Frederick Merril Jessop, considered Jeffs’ second-in-command, and witnessed by the girl’s mother, the third of Jessop’s six wives.
via Texas still seeks custody of sect leader’s 14-year-old bride.
Why sicko FLDS parents, of course! I know, what business is it of the Texas government to to take a child away from her parents and try to tell the parents what to do. Well…it is the law! That’s what business. I am glad the State is taking a stand on this. I realize it may be hard for the child to be separated from her family, but she needn’t be. All the state is asking is that they follow the law, the same law the rest of us have to follow.
Filed under: D-Bags, Mormons, Whackaloons and Credulous Buffoons, cults | Tagged: FLDS, polygamy, Warren Jeffs
It’s not against the law to betroth your daughter to an older man, as long as she doesn’t formally and physically tie the knot until she’s of legal age. CPS is trying to insinnuate that something illegal happened, when they have no evidence to show it.
Ya know, anyone that argues it is ok for a 12 year old girl to marry an old man belongs in jail. Are you there yet?
Not arguing it’s okay, I’m just pointing out that it’s not illegal. Take it up with the legislature.
Joey, there’s the letter of the law and then there’s immoral (and illegal) behavior. I am sure you might argue that “spiritual marriage” isn’t illegal because it isn’t “actual” marriage. Regardless, I don’t think it is wrong for the state to intervene in such a case as this. Nor do I think it is wrong and out of bounds to raid an organization when even the hint of child abuse is present. Texas did the right thing in my book, and needn’t scramble to legitimize their actions. As I have stated in other posts: if these freakshows want to be polygamists, fine. But don’t be bringing underage girls into their twisted version of “marriage.”
@Joey: She wasn’t ‘bethrothed.’ She was married to the guy. See: http://www.religionnewsblog.com/21788/warren-jeffs-underage-marriage
There are photos of her at 11/12, kissing him. It’s alleged sexual abuse, which is illegal, last I checked.
@Igetpissed Sure, but the fact is that morality is subjective. If you are saying that it would be OK for the state to intervene if they felt something immoral was happening but not illegal, I’d have to disagree. Many believe atheism is immoral; I don’t want the cops beating down my door for teaching my kids there is no god.
In this particular case, they seem to have at least some evidence of abuse and so I’m OK with it. But it gets to be a nasty slippery slope when you mix morality and legality, unfortunately.
Masala Skeptic, You are right, and I should have been clearer. The state should not intervene on rumors alone. But when evidence is present then it should be acted upon. It seems to me that Texas had ample evidence to raid this group-even if the in initial complaint turned out to be bogus; they acted on what they had. Problem is, you’re right, it is a slippery slope, but when children are involved all possible avenues should be explored. Perhaps I see things very black and white when it comes to the rights of children verses the rights of cultish religious groups. I stand corrected.
Raids can be conducted only upon probable cause of illegal activity. The question with regard to the YFZ ranch is scope. There were numerous households, including many innocent families that happened to be bunking down there. They took their children anyways. It’s a give and take, with regard to liberties. My opinion is LE should have investigated first rather than raid first. They will regret it, as the “evidence” they seized may get tossed.
[...] were actual allegations of underage marriage and child abuse (which have been attributed to the FLDS in America), instead of indicting solely on the practice of polygamy. It will be interesting to see where [...]