My understanding was that several dozen girls between the ages of 14 and 17 were, or still are, pregnant. In Texas that is statutory rape. State law requires either judicial approval or written parental consent before the marriage of a minor is considered legal. If this did not happen, then there is no legal marriage and therefore it is sex between an adult and a minor. This is the definition of statutory rape, irregardless of claimed religious beliefs.
Forgive me, but isn't the fact that the children were removed the first step in the process you describe? Charges cannot be brought against the accused until evidence is gathered. Yes? How else can the state determine if there were written parental consent? What other ways can the state determine if there are cases of minor girls being forced into sham marriages with older men? There have also been unconfirmed reports of boys being sexually abused as well. Shouldn't this be investigated?
I'm not sure I understand where you're coming from on this issue. I'm coming in late, and I'm sure you've most likely answered this already, but is it your position that polygamous sects do not engage in underage, i.e. pedastric, marriages? This has been pretty well established and understood I would think by now.
Chris