County concerned about paying for fallout from YFZ
Thursday, 10 April 2008 00:00
Schleicher County Judge Johnny Griffin is concerned about the financial fallout from the YFZ Ranch raid. He explains that under Texas law it is the county that is responsible for paying for court appointed attorneys and for minors in child abuse custody cases.
“This operation was the state’s doing and the state should help us pick up the bill for it,” Griffin explained.
“This could bankrupt a small county like ours.”
Griffin explained that he has already been in contact with State Representative Harvey Hilderbran and State Senator Robert Duncan to ask for assistance.
I couldn’t be prouder of my hometown. Eldorado shined last week under circumstances that would have overwhelmed many communities. As word first reached town about the raid at the YFZ Ranch and the need to house the children here, the first thing everyone asked was, “What can I do to help?”
Food, and diapers and bedding poured in. Pillows and bottled water. The good folks at First Baptist Church opened their Fellowship Hall and people from all over town converged there, and at the civic center south of town.
As proud as I am I must say that I’m not a bit surpised. I’ve seen it all before, like when a family has found itself homeless due to fire, or tragedy otherwise touches a friend or neighbor.
Sheriff Doran goes on the record about the YFZ Raid
Thursday, 17 April 2008 00:00
Texas law enforcement officers made entry on the YFZ Ranch Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the request of Texas Child Protective Services. The resulting raid spanned six days and ended with 416 children being removed from the ranch by CPS workers. Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran is the first law enforcement officer to speak at length about the raid. The following interview was conducted late Monday evening in his office at the Schleicher County Law Enforcement Center.
Six young mothers of YFZ children asked for and received sanctuary Monday as a larger group of women were returned to the their homes on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado. The women originally accompanied 416 children removed from the ranch by Texas Child Protective Services investigators during the six-day raid that began on Thursday, April 3.
CPS spokesperson Darrell Azar announced Tuesday that it became necessary to separate 57 women from the older YFZ children.
“Investigators will never learn the full truth as long as adults who encourage a code of silence are standing over these children’s shoulders,” Azar said.
The raid on the YFZ Ranch April 3rd - 9th, 2008 has come and gone, but the status and legal battles will continue for the 416 children taken into custody of the Child Protective Services.
Most of the children are currently being housed in San Angelo, but a few of the older boys, perhaps as many as two dozen, have been moved to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in the northern part of the Texas panhandle.
YFZ children remain in custody, DNA tests ordered for adults and children
Thursday, 24 April 2008 00:00
CPS now claims 437 children in state’s custody
Texas Child Protective Services spokeswoman Shari Pulliam announced Tuesday that the number of YFZ children in state custody now stands at 437.
Pulliam said the number grew from 416 to 437 primarily because several girls previously believed to be 18 years or over, are now believed to be 17 or younger.
I couldn’t be prouder of my hometown. Eldorado shined last week under circumstances that would have overwhelmed many communities. As word first reached town about the raid at the YFZ Ranch and the need to house the children here, the first thing everyone asked was, “What can I do to help?”
Texas law enforcement officers made entry on the YFZ Ranch Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the request of Texas Child Protective Services. The resulting raid spanned six days and ended with 416 children being removed from the ranch by CPS workers. Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran is the first law enforcement officer to speak at length about the raid. The following interview was conducted late Monday evening in his office at the Schleicher County Law Enforcement Center.
Six young mothers of YFZ children asked for and received sanctuary Monday as a larger group of women were returned to the their homes on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado. The women originally accompanied 416 children removed from the ranch by Texas Child Protective Services investigators during the six-day raid that began on Thursday, April 3.
The raid on the YFZ Ranch April 3rd - 9th, 2008 has come and gone, but the status and legal battles will continue for the 416 children taken into custody of the Child Protective Services.
Texas Child Protective Services spokeswoman Shari Pulliam announced Tuesday that the number of YFZ children in state custody now stands at 437.