The judge's ruling followed a day of testimony from other experts.
Bruce Perry, a child psychologist, testified that the traditional foster care system could be destructive to children taken from the sect's ranch. But he also testified that the children could be at risk if they are returned to the ranch.
Perry said the raid of the compound is a "very unique situation" and that the foster care system would be "destructive" to the children. He emphasized the need for an "innovative" solution in which families and children could get to know one another, which he said would be more beneficial for the children.
While Perry suggested that foster care with individuals who are trained to deal with children who have suffered trauma would be ideal, he doubted such an option existed.
"That just does not exist in the foster care system that I'm aware of," he said.
Lawyers representing sect members, who were split into groups according to the age and sex of their clientele for cross examination, countered Perry's recommendations with their own.
The representatives for the sect's girls ages 5 to 11 requested the children be returned to their parents, while state Children's Protective Services comes up with a long-term plan.
But Perry warned that the possible problem with that kind of arrangement is the children's continued exposure to the destructive belief system that promotes sex could be harmful. When asked, Perry said that the youngest children are probably least at risk if returned to parents in the short term because they are least influenced by unhealthy beliefs. He also said that he thought it would be OK for young mothers to continue to stay with their babies until a more long-term decision is made.
Earlier today, testimony in the giant custody case revealed that more than 20 girls taken from a polygamist Texas ranch became pregnant or gave birth before they were 16 or 17.
The testimony came from Angie Voss, a supervisor of investigations at the Texas Department of Child Protective Services. Voss was part of the weeklong raid by Texas authorities of the polygamist compound.
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