A week after 340 children from a polygamist sect were reunited with their parents, a majority still haven't returned to the Yearning for Zion Ranch in West Texas.
Patrick Crimmins, a Child Protective Services spokesman, said 178 children are living in 33 households in the San Antonio area and 143 children are living in 30 households at the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado.
The remaining 19 children are scattered across Texas, but Crimmins said CPS officials are not providing more details about their whereabouts to protect their privacy.
Under the court order signed last week by District Judge Barbara Walther, families cannot change their address without first giving CPS a one-week notice, cannot travel more than 100 miles without giving a 48-hour notice, and cannot leave Texas.
Rod Parker, an FLDS attorney based in Salt Lake City, said Tuesday that many mothers have opted to stay away from the Eldorado compound on the advice of their lawyers
Crimmins also said CPS will be evaluating information from DNA tests that are still being returned to a San Angelo court.
"When we get the results, we're going to review them to see if they will help us in any ongoing abuse and neglect investigations," Crimmins said.
He also repeated that CPS officials reserve the right to interview children, parents or other individuals if necessary.
By the numbers
178: FLDS children living in 33 households in the San Antonio area.
143: FLDS children living at the YFZ Ranch in 30 households.
19: FLDS children living at other undisclosed locations across Texas.
Source: Child Protective Services
