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60 Percent Of Teenage Girls From Polygamist Sect Have Been Pregnant Save Email Print
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(April 28, 2008)—More than half of the teenage girls swept into state custody after a raid on a polygamous sect's compound have been pregnant, state child welfare officials said Monday.

Child Protective Services spokesman Darrell Azar says 53 girls between the ages of 14 and 17 were living on the ranch in Eldorado.

Of that group, 31 already have children or are pregnant.

State officials took custody of more than 460 children from the Yearning For Zion Ranch more than three weeks ago after a raid prompted by calls to a domestic violence hotline that purportedly came from a 16-year-old girl who has never been identified.

CPS says there was a pattern of underage girls forced into so-called "spiritual marriages" with much older men at the ranch.

About 50 of the children have been housed at Waco’s Methodist Children’s Home since Friday.
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Posted by: Lauren Location: Coolidge on Apr 30, 2008 at 08:26 AM
terrible
Posted by: Cynthia Location: Temple/McGregor on Apr 29, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Just today, one of the underage girls gave birth to a baby boy!!! Who's the father of this one? Does the "grandmother" know who the father is? Is it incest? Is it an adult? DNA will prove whose it is, given enough time~THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW! Yet, our governement continues to feed money to this compound with AFDC checks! These will be sent out on May 1, 2008; Will the amount be the same since the children are gone? The amount is based on parent and child with a missing in action father!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO, is our government any better than this compound~BY NOT GOING BY THE RULES???
Posted by: Tasha Location: Killeen on Apr 29, 2008 at 06:06 PM
It's sad when you see people using religion as a tool of manipulation; powered by abuse from generation to generation. But FLDS is no longer part of the Mormon Church. And no, I'm not a Mormon. But there are different religions, cults, and sect's that are out there, that are abusing children. But they all hide behind they faith. Don't get me wrong, people can believe what ever they what to believe, but do not hurt a child. A child is from the age of 0 to 18. Our government, needs too put a stop on child abuse in religion communities. I remember reading story about a mother, who had infertility problems in Wisconsin (I think), she ended up getting pregnant with sextuplets. Because she refused treatment, BECAUSE of their faith, 5 babies died of their decisions. And nothing happen too this couple, because of their religion.
Posted by: A Mom Location: CenTex on Apr 29, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I find it VERY interesting that the majority of the people defending this cult on here are MEN. Thanks for letting women know the hidden desire of you all. :-)
Posted by: learn Location: to read on Apr 29, 2008 at 03:10 PM
DUH, the daddys are hiding cowards. They can castrate them as soon as they're found as far as I'm concerned. Obviously you can't read because there's alot of comments about these men (beasts). Duh!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 at 02:56 PM
To Reality Check, who says we are not praying for these children? And who are you...the post monitor? I don't think so Whack em Waco. You do alot of arguing on these posts especially about illeglas. SO, don't even go there!
Posted by: DUH Location: texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 02:18 PM
At this point, it sounds as if this group created their own area where time kinda stood still. Arranged marriages, young wives. No TV, no outside world. hmmm. As for everybody sooo up in arms about the whole age of mother and where is the daddy...howcome nobody seems to be yelling for castration for the partners of all of the teenage pregnancies that are reported every year here in the "real" world?
Posted by: get real Location: here on Apr 29, 2008 at 02:07 PM
DON~~~~ quote, "The perverts are the ones who come up with this nonsense on the blogs."~~~~~quote, "How many of you guys out there have had sex with a teenage girl who was still in high school?"~~~~~ quote, "You all better be careful because your assumptions are equivalent to bearing false witness against thy neighbor."~~~~~~ Ummm DON, OPEN MOUTH ... INSERT FOOT!! LOL
Posted by: LN Location: Robinson on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:59 PM
1. The article just says over half, not saying which half or what their ages were. 16-17 years olds can marry, 16 with parental consent, so those don't count. IF their are younger then the DNA results will show who the dad is. Then appropriate legal action can and should take place. Until the facts are in about it one shouldn't just throw out all of these allegations that everyone there is evil. As in all cases there are those that did and those that didn't. Plus all of this ties into religion which really makes this a conundrum for the lawyers on both sides. Time will tell.
Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Stop all this stupid arguing. We need to pray for these children so that they can get on with their lives.
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Where is their parents and why? would they have kids or have sex at that age any ways or did they get rapid
Posted by: mother of three Location: Temple on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:43 PM
If they weren't ashamed of what they were doing then why did they need to hide in a compound?? They knew they were breaking the law so they tried to hide it. It's absolutely disgusting, every bit of it. And now these poor little children are the ones who will suffer the most.
Posted by: Susie Location: Central Texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 12:58 PM
WHOA! DON! What kinda question is that? (quoting.."How many of you guys out there have had sex with a teenage girl who was still in high school?")....sounds to me like you are one of them!!!! Maybe you should have charges FILED against YOU, too! TO OTHERS: As to the fact that our great and great great grandmothers were married at a very young age...life expectancy was shorter back then. Plus, it was hard to have LOTS of kids at home and be able to take care of them, so they were ALLOWED to be married!!
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on Apr 29, 2008 at 12:45 PM
GARY, you just showed how hypocritical you are. No, I'm not an athiest, "assume" what you want. Did I say (shoot to kill)? NO! Too bad you guys can't get your thoughts and comments straight. Polygamy and child abuse are (both) specifically condemned in the New Testament of my bible. I am a law abiding christian woman who happens to have a brain and commen sense. Leave it to a "man" to assume all women who are not "Stepford Wives" to be athiests....lol
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 at 12:18 PM
SINCE THE BEGINING OF TIME PEOPLE HAVE TURNED THE GOOD WORD INTO WHAT THEY WANT IT TO SAY TO DO THINGS LIKE THIS.PEOPLE KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG AND ALL THE TIME CHOOSE TO DO WRONG,AND THAT INVOLVES THE PEOPLE AT THE CENTER OF THIS INVESTIGATION. WHAT HAPPEND IN THE 'GOOD OLE DAYS" WELL NO BODY CARES BECAUSE THE LAW IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS TODAY . I HOPE THE MEN AND WOMAN OF THAT COMPOUND ALL END UP IN THE PEN FOR THEIR PROBLEMS,THE WOMAN ARE JUST AS GUILTY BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY ENJOYED IT JUST LIKE THE MEN.
Posted by: Gail Location: CenTex on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Its true our history is filled with young women being married. My mom married when when she was 15, and she is still married 62 years later. That is not the point. Right now, today, in Texas, it is not legal for someone that young to marry. And, it is not legal for a 50 man to have sex with a 13 yo girl. Also, its a matter of freedom of choice. Did these young women have a choice to marry and have sex with these men or not? I do not think they had a choice. They grew up believing that is what they will do and they did it.
Posted by: Don Location: Texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:14 AM
No, I'm not FLDS, nor Mormon, nor a pedophile, nor Davidian. How many of you guys out there have had sex with a teenage girl who was still in high school? You all should be charged with sexual abuse, statutory rape, and whatever else the law has out there. Just because you got away with it does not make you less guilty. Why do you think they call it teen pregnancy rate? McLennan County has about the highest teen pregnancy rate in the Texas. You all better be careful because your assumptions are equivalent to bearing false witness against thy neighbor.
Posted by: good old days on Apr 29, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Back in the good old days the women married at 14 and were dead by the age of 30. Then the man would marry again and have a second family. Women had the choice to marry,teach school or be a whore. I am glad that my daughter has more choices now.
Posted by: Patriot Location: Tx on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:55 AM
And TO DON who says his lives in Texas--- So... "the rest of the country thinks Texas is weird, period"???? How do you attest for that idiotic comment??? How about you leave my "Great State"?? Heck, I'll help you pack.....and don't let door hit your behind on the way out, moron!!
Posted by: Patriot Location: Tx on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Well, The FLDS MEN are crawling out of the woodwork this morning on this post and grasping at straws! If you really want to get your religious point out ....STOP HIDING! Be a "MAN" and go in front of the media to explain yourselves. Don't send your brainwashed "sweet wives" to do you (nasty) work for you!! And Gary, how about telling us how you financially support all your wives and children without the (evil government & wicked taxpayer's money)??? You don't support them! Your wives already attested to that fact. Btw, my children are not brats. My family doesn't abuse the system to our satisfaction. With every comment you FLDS men leave---you're looking more & MORE EVIL.......
Posted by: Gary Location: Texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:41 AM
WOW: I DO NOT defend pedophilia!! Why don't you ask your Grandmother how old she was when she got married. I know that mine was 16 and she was a Lutheran, My mother was married at 17 and she is a SDA. You missed the point. Anita: You don't follow anyone blindly? So that means you are an Atheist. I know that I follow the word of GOD BLINDLY everyday!!!! I would never put up with someone abusing my daughter but I would not take the law into my own hands and shot the because my God says "Thou shall not kill". I do not condone the behavior of these people, if it is proven that they have done something wrong, what I stated is that so far I have not seen anything that says that these girls were impregnated by middle aged men. And no I am not MORMON!!!!!
Posted by: duh Location: texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:40 AM
ok, people...go back and look in your family histories...if your family made the trek to the west chances are your great great grandma was 14 to 15 years old when she married....it has only been in the last 50 to 60 years that people have "decided" that is "too young". How old were Romeo and Juliet? THINK, PEOPLE
Posted by: Erin Location: Bosqueville on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Gary, I agree with some of your points. the few men that have spoke out said that they "may not have know about the law", I think " may" is the key word in that statment. But it has also been said that not all the families practice polygamy. You can't paint everything w/ the same brush. I support the removal of the young girl who were at risk. I was also under the impression that the expection to the law reguarding underaged marriage is that there must be parent consent and the girl must be over the age of 15. Correct me if I am wrong. I don't agree w/ the law but don't beleive that a law was broken if there was parent consent for the girls over 15. As far as the little 13 year old girl who is pregnant, her "husband" needs to be incarserated. I although sometimes wonder if there ever was a phone call. I don't ever remember hearing this call. For those of you who don't know, it didn't even come from the compound but rather a Middle aged woman from Colorado.
Posted by: stephanie Location: Groesbeck on Apr 29, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Don, The Branch Davidians were in Elk and that sure isn't 30 miles from Waco. More like 10 or so. If and I say if what is being said proves to be true and there has been girls as young as 13 having babies then yes something need to be done. My next question is where are all the men that are supposedly responcible? I haven't seen any of them mentioned in the news. Just the women and children. Did they abandon their families when the law closed in? I saw three young men interviewed but that was it. Have I missed something ?
Posted by: wow on Apr 29, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Gary, Don, Jonathan...all I can say is...to defend pedophilia...makes you a pedophile. You are sick to condone the abuse of these poor girls.
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on Apr 29, 2008 at 09:18 AM
CBS reported this morning that at least one of the pregnant girls is only 13 yrs old. DON in Texas~~~ Thank you for giving us the history of what Mormons believed back in the 1800s. Only a Mormon would consider a unmarried 16 yr. old, "a old maid and undesirable". LOL ... talk about somebody being brainwashed and a pervert, you fit that bill Don to the T! Your sexual child abusing polygamous FLDS cult made a big mistake coming to Texas and thinking they could hide forever behind that 8 ft wall. They got caught and that's that. I DO NOT follow anyone blindly. If the law said you could marry at 12 ...I'd still say NO WAY to my daughter and would shoot any man that tried to touch her inappropriately!! Don, I have no doubt that you call that compound...(home).
Posted by: Gary Location: Texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Why is it you all assume that these girls were impregnated by middle aged men? I have heard nothing that says that they were. Texas did not take enough time to build a case, they just jumped in and screwed up! They can't produce the caller of the tip and that makes them fools. They are harming these children more by taking them from their mothers. We have more of a problem with teens getting pregnant in the cities than we do with this ranch. Marriage is a religous bond and the constitution is suppose to separate church from state. The only reason the states want to be in control of marriage is money. These kids were not subjected to this nasty world and were taught to love god and family and thats something that your brats don't have any respect for!!!!!!
Posted by: Don Location: Texas on Apr 29, 2008 at 07:00 AM
You know, all of you people have been brainwashed by the federal government or religious establshment, don't even know it and, and you follow them blindly. The only sane comment I have heard on this blog is Jonathan from Tennesee. Everyone in the rest of the country thinks Texas is weird, period. BTW Johnathan, the terrible massacre happened 30 miles away from Waco. It wasn't anywhere close to the city, and the media have brainwashed everyone in the country into thinking it was right in the middle of town. Back in at least the 1800's if a girl wasn't married by the time she was 16, she was considered an old maid and no longer desirable. The perverts are the ones who come up with this nonsense on the blogs. 100 years from now people are going to look back on this time and wonder why everyone was so nuts.
Posted by: William Location: Killeen on Apr 29, 2008 at 04:11 AM
Can you say Pedophile Ranch, this is just a place of teaching the wrong as right, these poor girls and boys are being treated as slaves to a perverted belief that women are under men in all means of life and just a breading tool for their own satisfaction.
Posted by: Dave Location: Waco on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:01 AM
To Jonathan, when a lot of people met Jim Jones they said "he's very nice"
Posted by: LI Location: HEWITT on Apr 29, 2008 at 12:18 AM
that place and it's "religion" are disgusting.just a baby breeding farm for perverts.the men should all be locked up and castrated.
Posted by: Texan Location: Right Here on Apr 28, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Mr. Jonathan, who's talking hatred of other denominations? People know FLDS and what they do. Leave it to some moron from Tennessee to make an idiotic post like Texans are dumb! Do us all a favor and blog your nonsense on some Tennessee forum. This is Texas and nobody except your FLDS cares what you have to say.
Posted by: Jonathan Location: Tennessee on Apr 28, 2008 at 07:51 PM
A lot of mormons beliefs are wierd, I'll give you that but, I've never seen a mormon fly a plane into a building or bomb a market. Most mormons I've met are very nice and few belong to the FLDS sect. You have a right to your hatred of mormons and other denominations but, maybe you should write those opinions in a different blog, citizen.
Posted by: Citizen Location: USA on Apr 28, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Red in Utah, this whole tragic problem stems from one person named Joseph Smith who had a sexual desire for young girls and thought if he married them, he could make his own religion. Americans know that mainstream Mormoms sympathize with the break away FLDs. After all, polygamy with young girls, bearing many children for the men and mind control over women, is the very "core" of the Mormonism belief. Yes, it's very tragic that generations of women and children have been victims of the unholy greediness of men.
Posted by: Jonathan Location: Tennessee on Apr 28, 2008 at 06:58 PM
First of all, to arrest you have to have probable cause that the girl was molested by someone with more than a four difference. Secondly, you can't make mass arrests in an attempt to weed out the few culprits. To make an arrest you have to bring a charge against someone. They can, however, detain. Another issue is that a DNA test is considered an invasive test by the law and, therefore, must be court ordered. It may take a while to get that many court orders. On a seperate note, it's going to be interesting to see what kind of evidence they found supporting this percentage and whether the underage teens are going to be allowed to keep their babies. I think it would be a tragedy if the state said no. On a lighter not, this has certainly turned out better than that horrible massacre at Waco.
Posted by: geri Location: san diego, ca on Apr 28, 2008 at 06:26 PM
I felt nauseated and then disgusted after reading about the young girls who are pregnant. Thank goodness, Texas had the courage to step in and take control of this hellish situation. Texas is doing the right thing!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 at 05:44 PM
I think that most of the DNA will come back as matching each other.....inbreds!
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on Apr 28, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I don't doubt that some of the men have fled to the other cult in Arizona and are hiding cowards. I think any man left on that compound should be brought in and "forced" to take a DNA sample. If they refuse it ...lock them up and charge them right then!
Posted by: Red Location: Utah on Apr 28, 2008 at 04:56 PM
A few of these may be "false alarms;" "eighteenish" mothers had a real incentive to say they were younger so they could stay with their under-2 babies. Even so, most of these are probably real. With the hundreds of pounds of documents they've confiscated, Texas authorities may be able to make a good case in court. The Achilles' heel of polygamy prosecutions has always been getting the women to cooperate. Texas can probably coerce the young moms to 'fess up by threatening permanent removal of their kids if they don't play ball with the prosecution. Sadly, even if the girls do cooperate, they'll probably lose both their kids and the kids' dads. Tragedy all around.
Posted by: Dee Location: Belton on Apr 28, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I can't wait for the DNA test results!
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 at 04:45 PM
To those of you who have said that we over stepped our bounderies! Now what do you think?!!!! 14 to 17 year old girls...some have already had a baby.....That is just not right and they NEEDED to be removed! As for the males....if you let them stay....they will be taught that raping a young girl is okay....hopefully it is not too late to reform & heal these children!
Posted by: Amber Location: South Carolina on Apr 28, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Wow, I'm really shocked, lol.
Posted by: Jan Location: Waco on Apr 28, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Duh!! that sould be a no brainer for any of us. I just don't understand why the men have not been arrested for sexual and physical abuse.
Posted by: Karen Location: Waco on Apr 28, 2008 at 03:45 PM
wonder how that happened ? Yeah, I wonder!
Posted by: a mother Location: texas on Apr 28, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Enough said.........
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