Guide Note
On April 21, 2008, six of the parents from the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas appeared on Today in an exclusive interview to answer questions posed by Meredith Viera and Hoda Kotb.
According to an article published on the Today show website the members denied all allegations of systemic child abuse and went as far as to say that outsiders needed to mind their own business.
The women gave additional insight into their life on the ranch and why they dress and wear their hair the way they do.
Polygamy Sect Information
The ranch follows the doctrine set forth by Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The FLDS sect leader is Warren Jeffs who is currently serving five years to life in prison after being sentenced in November of 2007.
The ranch was raided on April 4, 2008, after authorities received a call from a 16-year-old girl from within the compound who claimed she had been abused. Her identity has still not been discovered. According to members of the FLDS she does not really exist.
Fast Facts
- 6 of the parents appeared on Today on April 21, 2008
- Stated that allegations of systemic child abuse were incorrect
- Compound Size: 1,700-acres
- Location: Eldorado, Texas
- Led by Warren Jeffs
- Follow the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- Compound was raided on April 4, 2008
- 400 children were removed from compound
Quotes from polygamist parents
"The whole community has sort of been arrested. “We don’t think it’s being just at all." - Janet
"Since the children have been taken from their mothers, they have experienced abuse from the [state]." - Amy
"There’s no significance,” Janet said. “It just keeps [the hair] out of our face so we can see. It’s just a choice. We like to have long hair and we like to keep it done up." - Janet
"It seems to be perceived as a crime to want to live in private,” Fred said. “We just want to be left alone and it seems that’s a crime almost in America today. We’re happy here and we want to be left alone. We do not abuse out children." - Fred
"I’ve been here off and on for four years,” Fred said. “I know of no girl 13 that’s been pregnant and I know of no one who has 22 wives. I would never do such a thing." - Fred
"We are very determined to cooperate and do whatever it takes to get our children back. They are desperately in need of their mothers." - Amy
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