Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(AP Photo/Deseret News, Mike Terry)
Mary Richards and AP reporting
One of the hundreds of Texas polygamist-sect members taken into state custody gave birth Tuesday to a healthy boy. Child welfare officials, state troopers and fellow sect members stood outside the maternity ward.
Texas officials say the mother is under 18 and will remain with her son in a foster-care facility until a custody hearing.
A spokesman for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) contends the girl is 18. Texas officials disagree.
Meanwhile, attorneys for mothers who are members of the FLDS Church today are disputing new figures by Texas authorities claiming an abundance of pregnant teens from the Yearning For Zion (YFZ) Ranch.
The polygamists also have a warning for the state of Texas: Be sure to keep all of your paperwork. FLDS attorneys have told Texas officials, "Get ready; we'll see you in court."
They're upset over the April 3 raid on the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado and how the children taken from the ranch have been treated. The church wants all names of officials, their voice mails, boxes of paperwork and other evidence saved for civil and possible federal lawsuits.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
(The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
