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Most sect kids stay away from YFZ Ranch

Published: June 12, 2008 at 12:05 PM
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A child from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) runs into the Kidz Harbor facility shortly after her parents went in to reunite with the rest of their children in Liverpool, Texas on June 3, 2008. (UPI Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher) | Enlarge

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SAN ANGELO, Texas, June 12 (UPI) -- Most of the 340 children removed from the Yearning for Zion Ranch in West Texas haven't gone back to the polygamist sect, officials say.

Child Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins said 178 youths are residing in 33 homes in and near San Antonio and 143 youths are in 30 homes at the sect's compound outside of Eldorado, Texas, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported Thursday.

An additional 19 youths are living in homes throughout Texas, the locations of which haveno't been disclosed by Child Protective Services officials, Crimmins said.

Rod Parker, an Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints attorney, said several women have chosen to live away from the ranch on recommendations from their attorneys.

Crimmins told the Star-Telegram that protective services officials plan to review data from DNA tests.

"When we get the results, we're going to review them to see if they will help us in any ongoing abuse and neglect investigations," Crimmins said to the newspaper.