Attorneys agitated about FLDS family plans; judge questions why Books of Mormon were removed
Nancy Delong, who represents Carlene Jessop, a mother of four children in state custody, attacked the plan in court, saying it is not specific to her client.
"The plan that has been filed is not specific to Ms. Jessop," she said.
"It is specific to Ms. Jessop," Joni Manske, a Texas Child Protective Services worker replied.
"It's specific to Ms. Jessop, just like it is for 400 other children?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Delong also criticized the many requirements necessary for her client to be reunited with her children, which include open-ended suggestions such as parenting, psychological and vocational classes. Those requirements are in addition to Jessop's weekly visits with her children, who are scattered in facilities a day's travel apart.
"What are you going to do to help her?" Delong asked the CPS worker.
"I don't know the answer to that," Manske replied.
Jessop's husband, William Sunderland Jessop, sat near her in court. His attorney accused CPS of preparing a plan involving him and his children without ever talking to him.
Another attorney in a separate courtroom pleaded with Judge Barbara Walther to instruct CPS workers to be more responsive.
"I'd like a little respect here," said Billy Britt Jarvis. He said he's made repeated phone calls to the agency on behalf of his client, a little boy, and has had very little response.
Criticism over the plans also focused on the lack of attorneys having a chance to review them. In some cases, even the parents have not seen the plans.
"I'd like some respect, too, like that other attorney said. This plan wasn't even presented to my client until Saturday," said Thomas H. Morris III. He represents Samuel Jessop, who with his wife Cynthia Joy, has several children in state custody throughout the state of Texas.
• A young son of FLDS Church leader Warren Jeffs was among the first children discussed in a custody hearing this morning in what will be weeks of court proceedings to determine the fate of hundreds of children taken from the YFZ Ranch.
Walther approved a family service plan for reuniting 6-year-old Samuel with his mother Sharon Barlow, 35, who appeared in the courtroom. The boy is in state custody in Amarillo.
The goal is reunification by April 13, 2009.
Jeffs, currently incarcerated in an Arizona jail, was mailed a notice of Monday's hearing. Samuel is Barlow's only child.
Recent comments
Yep, those LDSers and FLDSers are arrogant and ignert inbreds, unlike...
Urroenr | May 23, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
Both the LDS in SLC & FLDS are directly tied to Joseph Smith & Brigham...
Call me what you want... | May 22, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.
I'm sorry for offending you I guess those of you that stand out...
Janet | May 22, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.
