Children removed from doomsday cult

ALBUQUERQUE, April 30 (UPI) -- Authorities in New Mexico have taken four children from a doomsday cult after being told about alleged inappropriate contact with the cult's leader.

A spokeswoman for the state says authorities are investigating alleged misconduct by cult leader Wayne C. Bent who is known to his followers as Michael Travesser, The Albuquerque Journal reported Wednesday.

Bent and members of The Lord Our Righteousness Church are featured in an episode of the show "Inside" to be broadcast May 7 on the National Geographic Channel. In a clip of the show, two young females tell of lying naked with Bent, who has denied having sex with minors.

Two of the children removed from the cult remain in state custody. A third child volunteered to be placed in foster care and the fourth has been released to her parents.

Romaine Serna, a spokesman for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, tell the Journal the agency is assessing whether parents of the children have neglected or abandoned them.