| April 22, 2008 DNA testing of children from polygamous sect
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(NECN/ABC) - Members of the West Texas polygamist sect are getting another unwelcome taste of the outside world – DNA testing. It is the latest step ordered by a Texas judge to find out if the children in the compound were born to underage mothers.
ABC’s Diana Alvear has details.
Script:
It's a Herculean task: testing the DNA of hundreds of children taken from the polygamist 'Yearning for Zion' ranch in Texas. Researchers are working out of a mobile testing unit outside the coliseum in San Angelo to determine the parentage of each child.
Many don't know who their fathers are, and many of these fathers and mothers, are refusing to cooperate with authorities.
The testing was ordered by Texas State District Judge Barbara Walther, who also ruled the 416 children must stay in the state's custody until hearings are complete - much to the dismay of many mothers.
Once the DNA testing is complete comes the challenge of finding foster homes for the 416 children. But Texas’ track record on foster care is one of the worst in the country and advocates fear these children might be better off back on the ranch.
Susan Hays, attorney: "The Texas foster care system is routinely, historically under funded.
Children have died in its care, no child has died out here because of neglect or improper situation."
The parents of these children will also be required to give DNA samples of their own, beginning on Tuesday. The samples
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