25 Mothers Taken From FLDS Ranch Now Believed To Be Minors

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) – Twenty-five mothers staying at a shelter for children taken from a polygamists’ compound are now believed to be minors.

Child Protective Services spokesman Darrell Azar says the girls initially claimed to be adults but are now believed to be under 18. The girls are in state custody.

The discovery takes the number of children taken from the ranch controlled by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to 462. The number has been climbing since the state swept all the children off the ranch nearly three weeks ago.

Of the children taken into custody, roughly 260 remain at the San Angelo Coliseum. The others were bused to foster facilities around the state.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)