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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A teen daughter of polygamist John Daniel Kingston and Heidi Mattingly with relatives has been taken back into state custody after living with relatives who say she belongs with her immediate family.
The 13-year-old girl had been living with her uncle and aunt, but they requested that she go back to the custody of the state. A juvenile court judge signed an order Friday placing the girl in state custody.
The girl is not part of the court order that is aimed at reuniting nine other Kingston children with Heidi Mattingly, their mother.
"For now, she's in our custody in a foster home. We'll be working on a more permanent placement," said Carol Sisco, spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services. "This was done at the request of the relatives she was living with."
Shawna Mattingly, the teen's aunt, said that it was in the girl's best interest to go live with her brothers and sisters.
"She needs to be with her family. My husband and I are family, but it's not the same," she said.
Ten of the 11 children of Kingston and Heidi Mattingly were taken into state custody after allegations of abuse and neglect. The 13-year-old girl was placed with Justin and Shawna Mattingly and an infant stayed with Heidi Mattingly.
A judge recently restored visitation rights to Heidi Mattingly and ordered efforts to reunify the children with their mother be stepped up. Heidi Mattingly could regain permanent custody if she complies with certain court-ordered terms. A review hearing is scheduled for June.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
