Cult members denied custody of kid

The Associated Press/October 27, 2000

Two cult members lost a bid in juvenile court to regain custody of their 10-day-old daughter on Thursday, two days after the child's father led authorities to the graves of two children, including his son.

Judge Kenneth Nasif ruled the daughter of Rebecca and David Corneau remain in state foster care. She was born while Rebecca Corneau was in custody in Boston, after refusing a court-ordered medical exam during pregnancy.

The judge continued the case until Jan. 10.

The Corneaus are members of an Attleboro sect that refuses medical treatment and ignores the legal system. They have three other children, all in state custody.

David Corneau had been jailed for months on contempt of court charges for refusing to testify about the disappearance of his son and another sect member's 10-month-old son. child. On Tuesday, he led authorities to their burial site in Baxter State Park in Maine. The Corneau child was believed to have died shortly after birth. The other boy was thought to have stopped nursing and starved.

Authorities say as many as four people could face murder charges. The Corneaus were granted immunity in exchange for cooperating with prosecutors.