Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Thoughts on Eldorado

Since once upon a time I represented a Child Protective Services agency in Texas as an assistant district attorney prosecuting child abuse cases, I've been following the developments following the raid on the FLDS compound near Eldorado, Texas very closely and trying to decide how to post about them.

The Houston Chronicle has done a good job of continuing to follow the developments, which I haven't seen duplicated in the national news media which seems to have reported the sensational raid then returned to its coverage of presidential primary minutia.

Here's some of what the paper has reported, since the mass hearing in San Angelo:
  • Twenty-five of the adult women were reclassified as minors after further investigation
  • Forty of the adult women chose to request placement in domestic violence shelters rather than return to the compound
  • 31 out of 53 of the teenaged girls at the Yearning for Zion Ranch were pregnant or had given birth--some more than once
  • Group homes that are sheltering the children around the state have been advised to keep them isolated from other children and will conduct school for them on the premises rather than traumatizing them further by sending them to the local public schools (this is a big exception to the usual regulations which require prompt enrollment in the local public school)
  • Workers in the homes are urged not to wear red (because the children have been taught to believe that this is a color reserved for Jesus' robes when he returns) and the men are to be clean-shaven and wear long-sleeved shirts so as not to alarm the children
  • Social workers report the children have had very little education and their skills are significantly below grade level
  • The children will not be exposed to television, radio, music, etc of the "outside world" for the time being to minimize the trauma of their removal
  • Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services are caring for a significant number of the FLDS Children (see their story here) Hat tip: Classical Presbyterian
As I read these reports, I regret that we have set up our legal system makes it so difficult for authorities to rescue (yes, rescue) these women and children from the exploitation and oppression of a cult like this.

Recall that the complaint that triggered this raid has been shown to be fraudulent, which is going to be a big legal problem. Yet authorities in the area KNEW what was going on here for years and have not been able to intervene because there was no complaint or probable cause to go in there. If you saw any of those interviews with the women involved on television, you were probably just as creeped out as I was by their demeanor and obvious fear and oppression.

This case sets up a dramatic conflict in the courts between legitimate concerns about infringement on civil liberties and the responsibility of the community to protect minors and women from sexual abuse by those who are stronger and more powerful than they are. And of course, those children who were removed from the only home and family they have ever known and thrust into a world they have been taught to fear are suffering major trauma.

Still, some things in this fallen and sinful world are just wrong and dressing up false teachings in the guise of religious practice doesn't change that fact. Kudos to Judge Barbara Walther of San Angelo for taking on this case.

6 comments:

Gannet Girl said...

Thank you for posting this. I, too, have been watching this case as carefully as I can, and am frustrated by how much reliance I have to place on Nancy Grace for any news at all!

Like you, I suppose, I alternate between being intrigued by the legal dilemmas, horrified for the children -- as to both the way in which they have grown up and the way in which they have been wreneched from the only home they've ever known, dismayed (a restrained word choice if ever there was one) by the thought of teen-aged girls essentially being turned over to men for impregnation, and yes, creeped out (and saddened and horrified) by the demeanor and priorities of the adult women.

And: where are the MEN who should be standing with those women and trying to retrieve those children? It would appear that they are good for one thing only. What a turnabout.

Lori said...

What a horror this is. And good for Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services for stepping in. And with such regard.

Those children just break my heart. Taught to fear and loathe those who will ultimately save them. And to embrace that which will kill their soul.

Ruby said...

I am so saddened by the whole situation. I spend much of my working life walking on the tightrope between protecting our civil liberties and ensuring that the institutions charged with public safety and welfare are able to function.
As far as the 4th Amendment concerns go, questions of probable cause might prevent any criminal prosecutions from going forward, but I can't see the exclusionary doctrine operating in the context of child welfare proceedings. I mean, how can the state un-know about the threat to the safety and well-being of these children?
This situation is so tragic that I hardly have words to speak of it.

Rev Kim said...

Thank you for this, QG. I too am creeped out by the whole thing. My heart breaks for the children.

mid-life rookie said...

Thanks for this informative and insightful post. Praying now as I have been and as I will be.

Sue said...

Thanks for this post QG. It's all so heartbreaking.