CPS takes children from polygamists' Texas compound

AUSTIN — Nearly 50 children were removed from a polygamist sect's compound in West Texas after a teenage girl reported being raped at the remote ranch, state officials said today.

Eighteen were officially removed by court order because they either had been abused or neglected or were at risk, child protective officials said.

CPS spokesman Darrell Azar said about 30 other children and youths were placed in a bus and taken from the compound founded by Warren Jeffs, who was convicted last year in Utah of being an accomplice to the rape of a 14-year-old girl.

"The actions we've taken today have nothing to do with religion or lifestyle," said Azar. "The pure interest is in protecting children from abuse and neglect. That's what we have done."

The 18 who were removed by court order were transported about 45 miles to San Angelo. CPS spokesman Patrick Crimmins said the agency was trying to place them in foster homes or other temporary settings.

"We're obviously trying to take care of them and assess their needs and trying to find placements for them," said Crimmins.

Officials also were executing arrest and search warrants at the Yearn for Zion Ranch but no arrests had been made by late this afternoon.

Gov. Rick Perry's spokesman Robert Black said the governor's office was informed by CPS Tuesday that there would be a raid at the compound by the end of the week.

"There was reason to believe a girl had called in and said she was being raped," Black said. "There also was reason to believe they were heavily armed out there."

Department of Public Safety officers and social workers first went to the secretive group's home Thursday. They spent the night and this morning checking on the children's welfare and questioning people living in the compound.

Members of the sect were "very cooperative," said Tom Vinger, a DPS spokesman.

Officials would not say how many arrest warrants there are or what the possible charges are against those named.

Members of the polygamist sect from Utah known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints arrived in Texas in late 2003. They purchased land four miles outside of Eldorado, a town of 2,000 located about 45 miles south of San Angelo, and built a large temple and dormitory.

Randy Mankin, owner of the local newspaper, the Eldorado Success, said law enforcement has blocked roads leading to the compound.

Jeffs' conviction appeared to have little impact on the sect, which continues to add buildings, Mankin said.

"It has not stopped one bit. In fact, it's accelerated," said Mankin. "In four years they've built another town outside my town."

A few men from the sect show up in Eldorado to shop, but women and children are rarely seen, Mankin said.

Jeffs was convicted last September in Utah of being an accomplice to the rape of a 14-year-old girl who testified she was forced to wed her cousin. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of five years to life.

Jeffs is in the Mohave County Jail in Kingman, Ariz., awaiting trial on charges of sexual conduct with a minor, incest and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor

janet.elliott@chron.com