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03/01/93
State retains custody of most cult kids
By David McLemore / Staff Writer of
The Dallas Morning News
PHOTO:
Air Force Sgt. William Mabb leaves the McLennan County Courthouse on Tuesday after state District Judge Bill Logue gave him immediate custody of his three children. The children are among 21 who have been released from the Branch Davidian compound near Waco.
Waco--A judge ordered all but three of the children released from a besieged religious cult after relatives from around the world pleaded to take the children home.
In a custody hearing, state officials also painted a horrifying picture of the initial raid on Feb. 28, when federal agents trying to arrest the cult's leader were met with gunfire at his headquarters.
"The children all spoke of seeing bullets flying through the windows in their quarters and seeing numerous wounded people in the compound," said Joyce Sparks of the state Children's Protective Services office.
Tweny-one children, ranging in age from 5 months to 12 years, have been released by the Branch Davidians since the shootout that left four federal agents dead.
Tuesday, state District Judge Bill Logue gave Air Force Sgt. William Mabb, who testified that he learned about the cult shootout while in Guam, said he obtained an emergency custody agreement signed by a judge in Nebraska. He and the children's mother, a member of the Branch Dravidians, are divorced.
"The children have been through a lot right now, and I just want to bring them to a family that will love and need them," Sgt. Mabb said.
Jude Logue voiced sympathy for the other relatives, but he said the rest of the children must remain in temporary state custody until Children's Protective Services can evaluate the relatives' homes.
"We don't want to take the youngsters out of the frying pan and into the fire," he said.
Gladys Williams of London told the court in a breaking voice how she hoped to get her two nieces. The two are children of her sister, who is believed to be in the cult's compound.
"These children are in a strange country surrounded by strange people," said Mrs. Williams, 35. "They need to be with family."
Another Briton, William Nobrega, who said his estranged wife is in the compound, sought custody of his 11-year-old daughter. He said he wanted to "take her back to the family and friends that she knows, and not leave her in an environment where she has to think about the trauma she has been through."
David Parker, consul general of the British Consulate in Houston, attended the hearing.
In another case, Doug Wendel of Lubbock told the court that he wanted custody of his brother's four children. "We are all very concerned about my brother Mark and his wife Jaydean. We want to keep the children together," he said.
Jesse Guardiola, supervisor for the Children's Protective Services, said relatives will be given the chance to visit with the children pending the state review "to ensure that they will be able to provide a suitable home for the children."
He said the reviews could take 30 to 90 days.
Judge Logue ordered the agency to try to avoid delays. "These folks I've been seeing here today are good people," he said. "Let's not have any delay here."
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