CPS appeals and more evidence given

Sorry I have been away but hopefully I can catch you up!!!

Right now, we are still awaiting the TX Supreme Court to give a decision on The CPS's appeal to keep the FLDS children in state custody:


FLDS Supreme Court Decision Possible Today
http://www.590klbj.com/News/Story.aspx?ID=92294


On the 27th, the CPS released new evidence on Warren Jeffs kissing severally underage girls in what seems to be wedding anniversary picture.....


The Kiss Of Jeffs
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0527081flds1.html


....The CPS gave more reasons to not release FLDS child to parents prematurely....


CPS: 3 more reasons to keep sect children in foster care
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/05/27/cps_3_more_reasons_to_keep_sec.html


.... And CBS did a special on the FLDS and polygamy in general:


Polygamy: A World Apart
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/22/48hours/main4120479.shtml

Excerpt

(CBS) CBS News delves into the clandestine world of polygamy and the FLDS in a 48 Hours special with insider accounts, harrowing escape stories, interviews with law enforcement officials and an explosive interview with high-ranking FLDS member Willie Jessop.


Below are two articles from few days ago - the second an opinion piece I found rather interesting:


Texas officials to appeal FLDS ruling
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_9359188

Excerpt

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Service says it will file an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court in an attempt to stop an appellate court ruling that FLDS children were kept in state custody improperly.


Commentary: Appellate court wrong on FLDS
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/23/flds.appeals/

Excerpt

The court even reasoned that under Texas law, "it is not sexual assault to have consensual intercourse with a minor spouse to whom one is legally married" and that Texas law "allows minor to marry -- as young as age 16 with parental consent and younger than 16 if pursuant to court order." Wrong again.

The polygamists are not "legally married" to anyone since it is illegal to marry more than one person. They are "spiritually married" and abusing young girls. Finally, the court also states there "was no evidence that .... the female children who had not reached puberty, were victims of sexual or other physical abuse or in danger of being victims if sexual or other physical abuse."

Oh, I get it. The Department should wait until the kids are actually abused before doing anything. It's almost as if the Department can't win: If they act, they are overzealous; if they don't act, they are not doing the job entrusted to them -- protecting our children.