Photographs released of raid on polygamist sect

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - The first photographs of the raid on the polygamist sect in Eldorado, Texas, have been released.

The photos were taken by Rod Parker, a spokesman for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The group owns a ranch in San Angelo. 

The photographs show police wearing body armor, carrying automatic weapons and were backed by an armored vehicle when the raid took place. 
         
The man who took the photographs said sect members responded to the officers by singing and praying. 

A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety said officers are trained to protect themselves, and armored cars were used as a precautionary measure to remove individuals from the property, not to force entry into the ranch.

Authorities still have not located the teenage girl who reported being abused by her 50-year-old husband, which led to the raid in the first place. 
         
Some of the women at the sect said how police handled the situation with the children was unacceptable.

About 400 children remain in state custody, while most of the mothers have returned to the sect.

A hearing will take place Thursday to determine if the children can go back.

A judge will make the decision on a case-by-case basis.

"I can tell you that we believe that we have a strong case," said Marleigh Meiser with the Texas Child Protective Services. "I believe that we will present information to a judge on Thursday that will recommend that these children remain in our temporary care, and I am hopeful that a judge will agree with our recommendations."

Each child will be represented by their own attorney.