Girls in Ark. State Care for Now — Evidence of Sex Film at Alamo Site Cited

LITTLE ROCK – Four girls taken from an evangelist’s compound in southwest Arkansas will remain in state custody after their parents waived a probable-cause hearing, a state official said Monday.

Julie Munsell, a spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services, said that parents of four of the girls taken from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound waived their right to a probable- cause hearing before a Miller County judge.

The girls were two sets of sisters taken from the compound, she said. An adjudication hearing on whether the girls will stay in state care will be held Oct. 21.

“That’s where the court will decide whether the children stay in care and, if they will return home, either at that time or in the future, under what circumstances could they return to their home,” Munsell said. “That home could be where they’re living or it could be a different location. There are any number of circumstances that could arise.”

Miller County Circuit Judge Jim Hudson ruled Friday that the state had probable cause to keep two other girls in custody. A hearing on the future of those girls will be held Oct. 20.

Alamo was arrested in Arizona last week on charges he took minors across state lines for sexual purposes. He has waived his right to fight extradition to Arkansas. Federal prosecutors sought his arrest after raiding his compound on Sept. 20 and interviewing the girls.

Nine girls were assessed by state workers at the compound because of allegations of sexual abuse, but six, ages 10 to 17, were removed because officials worried they were in immediate danger.

Munsell wouldn’t say whether any of the six girls would have contact with their parents while in state custody . The state will continue interviewing family members of the girls to determine whether it is in their best interest to be reunited with their parents, Munsell said.

“We’re still in the process of gathering facts and interviewing family members, not for the investigative piece, but for the protective piece,” Munsell said. “The question is not simply will they return to where they came (from), but where will they go to next?”

Federal agents and Arkansas state police who raided the Fouke headquarters of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries said they were seeking evidence that children there had been molested or filmed having sex. Alamo has said the age of consent to marry is puberty and there’s a mandate in the Bible for girls marrying young, but has denied any involvement with pornography.

Originally published by Associated Press .

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