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	Judge: Sever Alamo Ties to Regain Children By Associated Press, carried on KFSM January 22, 2009 http://www.kfsm.com/Global/story.asp?S=9715507 TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - An 8-day hearing in Texarkana to decide the fate of 23 children taken from families associated with the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries has ended with all 23 juveniles remaining in foster care. Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin says the parents must sever their ties to the church before regaining custody of their children. Griffin cited a history of underage marriages and beatings in the ministry for his decision. The judge also said children in the ministry received substandard schooling and had not received required childhood vaccinations. The judge said a majority of the children never get past the ninth or tenth grade, and many of the young girls are married before they reach the 12th grade level and the boys just drop out of school. Since a September raid on Tony Alamo's compound at Fouke, state welfare officials have taken 36 children associated with the ministry into protective custody. The 74-year-old evangelist faces a 10-count federal indictment accusing him of taking young girls across state lines for sex. He remains held without bond pending a May trial.
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