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	Texas Barred from Taking Infant Seized in FLDS Raid; Perry & Haas Secure Tro By Teresa Kelly PRNewswire May 14, 2008 http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-14-2008/0004813306&EDATE= SAN ANTONIO, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A District Judge here on Tuesday barred the state from taking a nursing infant away from its mother when he turns one on Thursday -- a major victory for one couple whose children were seized last month from a fundamentalist Mormon ranch in Eldorado, TX. Judge Michael Peden also ordered the state to disclose the location of the couple's older two children, ordered that the parents be allowed daily supervised visits with them, and set a full hearing on whether the state has the right to keep the children at all on May 23. "This was a victory not only for this couple, but for all Americans who hold dear the right to protect themselves against unreasonable actions by the government," said attorney Rene Haas, who represents the couple. "Our children are our most precious possession. Wrenching innocent young children who are happy and healthy from loving parents, which inflicts terrible psychological trauma on the children, makes no sense whatsoever. We should work with families not destroy them." Joseph Steed Jessop Sr., 27, and his wife, Lori Jessop, 25, filed a writ of habeas corpus with the court Tuesday asking for an emergency injunction preventing the state from removing Joseph Jessop Jr., from the care of his mother. Mrs. Jessop has been allowed to care for the child, who is in a children's shelter in San Antonio; however a social worker told her the child would be taken from her when he turned a year old. The couple is legally married, monogamous and, as certified EMTs, lived separately from the other residents in a medical/community building at the Eldorado ranch. They produced documents identifying themselves and their children at the time of the raid. Attorneys told the judge they could find no court order giving the court authority to take the couple's children. Haas, of Corpus Christi, is a former Nueces County District Judge, and is board certified in both criminal and family law. For more information, contact Teresa Kelly, 512-328-4276, teresapkelly@msn.com
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