Fred Harteis News Articles - Testifying Friday in the case of 416 children taken from a polygamous compound, an investigator from the state’s child protection agency said there was evidence that 20 or more under-age girls had given birth as a result of sexual contact with older men.
Angie Voss, who is with the state’s Division of Child Protection Services, said that “more than 20 girls, some of whom are now adults, have conceived or given birth under the age of 16 or 17. There is a culture of young girls being pregnant by old men.”
Ms. Voss’s testimony came on the second day of a hearing before Tom Green County Judge Barbara Walther on whether the children should continue to be held by the state or returned to their homes near Eldorado, about 45 miles from here.
In contrast to Thursday’s 11 hour session, Judge Walther said testimony would be cut off at 4 p.m. She gave the state two hours to make its presentation, followed by cross-examination by lawyers representing the children and their families. She gave no indication of when she would rule on custody.
When a lawyer for one mother complained that she has not been served with a legal notice regarding the seizure of the children, Judge Walther responded that it was difficult for constables “to serve or give notice to a parent when the parent will not give the officers their names or any kind of identification.”
In her testimony, Ms. Voss said that some of the children being held are Canadian citizens, although she did not say how many, or their age or sex. She said the children should remain in custody regardless of their citizenship.
To read this complete Fred Harteis News Article visit our news partner at:
Source: NyTimes.com
About Fred Harteis: Fred Harteis leads Harteis International. Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.
