Say Anything Blog

In the comments today a semi regular commenter challenged me to write a post concerning the now released information that 31 of the underaged girls have been found to have been pregnant or had already had a child.  I wasn’t sure why I got the challenge since Pilgrim’s more or less taken the lead with this issue.

First of all I think we all have a pretty good idea of what’s been going on and it’s stomach turning.  But I still don’t think the authorities in Texas have responded in the proper way.

Now let’s assume the worst and it was older men forcing themselves upon these girls.  My main concern is that the State of Texas relied on an anonymous tip (which turned out to be false) in order to get the warrant.  I’m not an expert on the matter but IF that is the case then any criminal charges against the assumed perverts should be thrown out.  If you allow the authorities to rely on anonymous tips for a warrant than you might as well throw out the fourth amendment to the constitution.  Any cop can walk to a phone booth and call an accusation in.  The desk cop takes the stuff, gives it the judge and bingo, they’re in your home.

To the best of my knowledge that is the sole reason as reported in the press for the warrant.  If the state fails to stick felonies on the assumed perverts then shame on the law enforcement and double shame on the judge.

The other issue is that we’re talking about over four hundred kids here.  I believe the state needs to show due cause against each family to remove the children.  Pulling them out and putting them in a detention facility or foster family without proving probable cause is wrong in my mind. 

I also wonder if the state is going to be removing every child and her siblings that gets pregnant in the general population.  I hear it happens out here as well. 

This is a very serious and probably tragic situation for the victims in this matter.  But it doesn’t mean that all due process of law is abandoned.