AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - An April 3rd raid started nearly 7.5
million dollars in state spending in the first 19 days of what's
now one of the largest child custody cases in U.S. history.
The figures obtained by the Austin American-Statesman offer some
of the first clues to the financial costs of the state's seizure of
more than 400 children from a West Texas polygamist commune.
A spokeswoman for Governor Rick Perry cautions that the numbers,
obtained through the Texas Public Information Act, are preliminary
and unaudited. Perry's office has yet to release official cost
totals.
Texas officials raided the Eldorado (ehl-duh-RAY'-doh) ranch of
the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
citing evidence that the sect has been marrying off underage girls
to older men.
Money spent on the massive child welfare operation is expected
to be the focus of a state Senate Finance Committee meeting Tuesday
in Austin.