(May 16, 2008)—In the first 19 days since the April 3 raid on the West Texas compound of a polygamous sect, the state spent nearly $7.5 million in connection with what has become one of the largest child custody cases in U.S. history.
Nearly 50 of the children are now at Waco’s Methodist Children’s Home.
The figures obtained by the Austin American-Statesman offer some of the first indications to the financial costs of the state's removal of more than 460 children from the polygamist commune.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry cautioned that the numbers, obtained through the Texas Public Information Act, are preliminary and not audited.
Perry's office has yet to release official cost totals.
Texas officials raided the Eldorado compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, citing evidence that the sect has been marrying off underage girls to older men.
Money spent on the massive child welfare operation is expected to be the focus of a state Senate Finance Committee meeting Tuesday in Austin.
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