ACLU weighs in on Texas polygamist case

ELDORADO, Texas, April 21 (UPI) -- The Texas branch of the American Civil Liberties Union is expressing concern about the way authorities are handling the polygamist ranch case.

A statement issued by the executive director of the organization said questions have arisen concerning whether the rights of the mothers and children removed from the Yearning for Zion ranch are being protected, CNN reported Monday.

After two days of hearings, the judge presiding over the case ruled that the 416 children taken from the Eldorado ranch should remain in state custody.

"We recognize that this balancing act is difficult but we are concerned that government may not be complying with the Constitution or the laws of Texas in the execution of its mandate," said Lisa Graybill, the ACLU's courtroom observer.

Graybill told CNN there are many questions that need to be answered ranging from how the raids on the ranch were conducted to whether the current process protects basic rights.