NEW THIS MORNING – Polygamist-Sect Hearing Continues

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) – A court hearing on the fate of 416 children swept up in a raid on a West Texas polygamous sect two weeks ago continues today in San Angelo.

At issue is an attempt by the state of Texas to strip the parents of custody and place the children in foster homes because of evidence they were being physically and sexually abused.

The hearing descended into farce yesterday, with hundreds of lawyers in two packed buildings shouting objections and the judge struggling to maintain order.

By evening, only three witnesses had testified, including state child welfare investigator Angie Voss. She says at least five girls who are younger than 18 are now pregnant or have children. She also says some women at the ranch may have had children when they were minors, some as young as 13.