State: 12 FLDS Girls Sexually Abused
By: Laura Kellerman
Updated: December 24, 2008
Child Protective Services released its final investigation of the polygamists' ranch in El Dorado Tuesday, finding 12 girls who were "spiritually" married between the ages of 12-15 with their parents' consent.The report says 43 girls under age 17 who were removed from the FLDS ranch were in underage marriages.
CPS reports that nearly two-thirds of the families living at Yearning For Zion ranch had children who were abused or neglected -- neglected because they were being cared for by underage mothers or exposed to the sexual abuse of those underage mothers.
30 adults were named as "perpetrators of sexual abuse."
A spokesman for the sect called the report a "sensational" bid to win over public perception, according to the Dallas Morning News.
The courts concluded that CPS did not have the right to sweep in and remove more than 400 children from their parents in April.
There are legal cases pending against CPS by five mothers, involving 15 children.
The raid, care, travel, and investigation cost the state $12,436,310.
