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Show Monday, April 14, 2008 DAILY HERALD A6 Polygamists to governor: Help our children Jennifer Dobner THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN ANGELO, Texas The mothers of children removed from a polygamous sect's ranch in West Texas after an abuse allegation are appealing to Gov. Rick Perry for help, saying some of their children have become sick and even required hospitalization. . In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the mothers from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also say children are "horrified" by physical examinations they have undergone while in state custody. The mothers said the letter was mailed Saturday. Perry spokesman Robert Black said Sunday that he had not seen the letter and couldnt comment. Some 416 children were rounded up and placed in temporary custody 11 days ago after a domestic violence hot line recorded a complaint from a girL She said she was physically and sexu-all-y abused by her husband. e The letter, signed three women who claim by they represent others, says about 15 mothers were away from the property when their children were removed. "We were contacted and told our homes had been raided, our children taken away with no explanation, and because of law enforcement blockade preventing entering or leaving the ranch, we were unable to get to our homes and had to go," it said. "As of Wednesday, April 9, k TRENT NELSONThe ( Salt Lake Tribune Protective Services spokesman Marleigh Meisner center answers questions at a news conference as Department of Public Safety spokesperson Tela Mange left rear looks on in San Angela, Texas, Monday, April 7, 2008. Child ! one-pag- re 1 2008, we have been permitted to return to our empty, ran- sacked homes, heartsick and ,lonely, ' ,V.. The mothers said they want Perry to examine the condi-tiohs in which the removed children have been placed "You would be appalled," the letter said. "Many of our children have become sick as a result of the conditions they have been placed in. Some have even had to be taken to the hospitaL Our innocent children are continually being questioned on things they know nothing about. The physical examinations were horrifying to the children. The exposure to these conditions is traumatizing them." Asked about claims that children were hospitalized, R'f?fV13;?s i state Child Protective Services spokeswoman Marissa Gonzalez said she had not seen the letter and would have to review it before commenting. A judge will decide this week whether the children will remain in state custody or return to their families. Hearings are scheduled for Monday and Thursday. On Sunday, state officials enforced a judge's order to confiscate the cell phones of the women and children removed from the ranch The order was sought by attorneys ad litem for 18 FLDS girls in the state's custody, Gonzalez said. Reading from the court document, Gonzalez said attorneys reasoned that cutting off communications would "pre vent the possible tampering of witnesses." It was unclear how many phones were taken Sunday. Gonzalez did not know whether the document could be released Affidavits, filed by child protection workers said they found a pattern of abuse at the Yearning for Zion ranch in Eldorado, about 45 miles south of SanAngelo. fenced ranch, The 1,700-acr- e a former game preserve was bought by the FLDS in 2003. A number of large dormitory-styl- e homes have been built, along with a small medical center, a cheese factory, a rock quarry, a water treatment plant and a towering, white limestone temple. The children are being housed in San Angelo's historic Fort Concho and at the nearby Wells Fargo pavilioa About 140 women from the ranch are also with the children, although they are not in state custody. On Saturday, five FLDS women staying at the fort told Salt Lake City's Deseret News that the temporary shelter is cots, cribs and cramped play pens are lined up side by side and that many of the children are frightened Authorities said they have not yet located the teenage mother whose call for help triggered the raid at the ranch. Texas authorities have is- -, sued an arrest warrant for the alleged husband, a man identified as Dale Barlow of Colorado City, Arizs one of two communities on the border that have been the traditional home base of the secretive churcft. v. . Utah-Arizo- ITi fTlife ... JASON R. HENSKE Associated Press to look under rocks and inhidden pockets in the Wardsboro Brook in Wardsboro, Vt. Sunday during the search for Grace Waring, 2, who disappeared with'her Mother Rescuers use poles Nicole Waring, 40, of Wolcott, Vt. and sibling Dakota, Saturday. 6, Police: Vt. woman evades rescue and drowns self, child LisaRathke ; , Saturday. McCarthy tried to talk to Waring, but she ignored him A and walked into the water WARDSBORO, Vt woman reported missing with holding the child, police said She was standing near a her two daughters waded into a brook carrying one of them and rock in turbulent, waist-dee- p eluded a rescue attempt before water when McCarthy reached mother and child were swept for her, but she pushed away downstream to their deaths, from the rock and eluded his police said Sunday. The second grasp, plunging into the brook child's body was found later. with daughter Dakota in her arms before being swept Searchers found the bodies of Nicole Waring and her away, Covell said. "The sergeant tried to comdaughter downstream in Wardsboro Brook on Satmunicate with her. She didn't respond at all. He was in close urday. They found the body of her 2 daughter enough proximity that she downstream Sunday. should've recognized his pres "For whatever reason, it ence," Covell said was a deliberate action," said Preliminary autopsy findings Vermont State Police Capt. Da- on Waring and the vid CovelL who stopped short suggested they drowned, Covof calling the river plunge a ell said suicide. Waring had been despondent, but police wouldn't say Waring, 40, was reported missing early Saturday after why. "I don't know particularly she disappeared from her parents' Wardsboro house with what issues were upsetting the two girls, the state police her, but she had been exhibitsaid ing some unusual behavior the ':. As troopers began preparday prior to and during the; ing a search party, State Police time Sgt. McCarthy located! Sgt. Robert McCarthy spotted her," Covell said He wouldn't Waring and a child standing . elaborate. She made no special prepaon the edge of the brook, about 100 yards from the parents' rations before leaving her parents' home on foot about 1 a.m. home, CoveD said Normally placid, the brook Saturday, he said was swollen with rain and Police have spoken with snowmelt and had a swift Waring's husband, Michael current. The water was about Waring, who was in Mas3 feet deep Sunday, but ausachusetts at the time, Covell thorities said it was deeper on said THE ASSOCIATED PRESS . HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE RESEARCH Volunteers, ages 1 8 and older, who are experiencing moderate high blood pressure are invited to participate in this investigational drug research study. Qualified participants receive financial compensation for time Involved in participating in this investigational ; drug study. For more information, please call: 322-INF- O -- (. I .tnK: (4636) INTERMOUNTAIN ALLERGY & ASTHMA Conveniently located just off 1 2300 S. exit 1 2422 S. 450 E. 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