Little Rock, Arkansas - The seizure of 4 young brothers associated with Tony Alamo Christian Ministries in Arkansas has raised to 36 the number of children taken into custody by state child-welfare authorities.
Julie Munsell, spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services, said in an e-mail this evening that the four boys, all under 18, were taken into state custody in Arkansas about 5:45 p.m. today. She said no other details were available.
Since a Sept. 20 raid on Alamo's compound at Fouke in southwest Arkansas, state officials have seized 36 children associated with the jailed evangelist's ministries over stories of alleged beatings and sexual abuse.
Alamo, 74, remains held without bond on charges that he violated the Mann Act, a federal law that bans carrying women or girls across state lines for "prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose." He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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