The power of "best interests of the child."

That mothers are being separated from their children at all based on such flimsy evidence before an investigation is even complete is bad enough.

That the needs of breastfeeding children are, apparently, not even being considered?  Criminally cruel.

SAN ANGELO, Texas - As their parents lined up for genetic tests 45 miles away, some children from a polygamous sect departed for new, temporary homes across Texas.
    Buses filled with children ages 5 and older rolled out of the San Angelo Coliseum and Pavilion Tuesday afternoon, hours after 51st District Judge Barbara Walther signed an order sending them to 16 group homes and shelters throughout the Lone Star State.

...Young children and their mothers remained at the coliseum Tuesday night.
    Walther said adult mothers will be sent home once the state is ready to move those children. She refused on Monday to allow nursing mothers to stay with their infants and toddlers when they are moved to foster homes.

If there is any concern that the mothers will abuse these children -- and of this I am extremely skeptical -- why is there never an option that allows nursing mothers to remain with their young children under supervision?   If faced with such a situation, I'd rather submit to being shackled and surveilled 24 hours a day, while preserving my availability to my nursing child.   

Comments

[Christy P]

Great editorial in the SL Trib yesterday on this topic. As you might imagine the whole FLDS thing is big news here... check it out (I'm throwing some spaces in the link to break it) http:// www .sltrib. com/ci_9018057