Child in polygamy case ordered to foster care

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) -- A Texas judge ordered a 14-year-old girl, who was allegedly married to jailed polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, be taken from her mother and placed in foster care Tuesday.

Texas District Judge Barbara Walther said there was "uncontroverted evidence of the underage marriage."

Witnesses for the state have argued during the custody hearing in San Angelo that the girl's mother, Barbara Jessop, is not a suitable caregiver because the girl and several other children were involved in underage marriages.

Walther said she was concerned that Jessop was unable to provide assurances the girl could be protected in the future.

Walther, however, said the girl's 11-year-old brother would be allowed to stay with his mother.

During the hearing in Monday, Jessop invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself on about 50 questions.

Jessop has 10 children, and Ruby Gutierrez, an investigator for CPS, testified that two adult sons took underage brides and three daughters were given in marriage when they were underage.

Child welfare authorities have been investigating the cases of 440 children since the Texas Supreme Court ordered that the children removed from the Yearning For Zion Ranch in April be returned to their parents.