By Shelley Kofler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-701279.mp3
Dallas, TX – Child welfare authorities say they are now investigating the possible sexual abuse of boys taken from a polygamist community in West Texas.
When 462 children were seized last month, state officials cited evidence that teenage girls were being forced into marriage and sex by older men.
At a legislative hearing in Austin yesterday Carey Cockerell with the Department of Family said some of the boys have also discussed sex abuse, and medical examines have found a history of injuries and fractures.
Carey Cockrell: "Several of these fractures have been found in very young children and several have multiple fractures. We have identified 41 children with past diagnoses of fractures or broken bones."
A physician who is a member of the polygamist group claims most of the broken bones were from minor falls.