World | USA
Ruling may hit case against West Texas polygamist sect
In a ruling that could torpedo the case against the West Texas polygamist sect, a state appeals court on Thursday said authorities had no right to seize more than 440 children in a raid on the splinter group's compound last month.
- AP
- Published: 23:53 May 23, 2008
San Angelo, Texas: In a ruling that could torpedo the case against the West Texas polygamist sect, a state appeals court on Thursday said authorities had no right to seize more than 440 children in a raid on the splinter group's compound last month.
The Third Court of Appeals in Austin said the state failed to show the youngsters were in any immediate danger.
It was not clear when the children - now scattered in foster homes across Texas - might be returned to their parents. The ruling gave a lower-court judge 10 days to release the youngsters from custody, but the state could appeal to the Texas Supreme Court and block that.
The decision in one of the biggest child-custody cases in US history was a humiliating defeat for the state Child Protective Services agency.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Al Qaida returns to Manhattan
Trial in US federal court would be just the theatre Khalid Shaikh Mohammad wants
-
Obama's Tibet test
The US president's snub of the Dalai Lama could embolden China
-
What to expect at the Dubai Airshow
We preview what types of aircraft to expect at the Dubai Airshow
