One of Warren Jeffs' wives leaves, is sheltered by law enforcement
 
Ben Winslow
FOX 13 News
KSTU-TV
Warren Jeffs

ST. GEORGE -- One of the wives of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has left him and the FLDS Church and is being sheltered by law enforcement, FOX 13 News has learned.

Washington County Sheriff's deputies said they responded to the Fundamentalist LDS enclave of Hildale, Utah, Monday on a "keep the peace" report. A 25-year-old woman left her home in Colorado City, Ariz., and went to another home in Hildale.

Sources tell FOX 13 the woman is one of Jeffs' many wives, who has tried to leave the community before. She sought refuge on Monday at the home of ex-FLDS spokesman Willie Jessop. Law enforcement was then contacted.

"She asked for assistance in leaving the community," sheriff's spokesman Nate Abbott told FOX 13 on Tuesday. "We facilitated her request."

The woman was believed to be in a shelter. Abbott referred questions about the woman's condition and whether or not she was the victim of a crime to the Washington County Attorney, who was unavailable for comment late Tuesday. Jessop did not return a call seeking comment on the situation.

Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints based in Hildale, is believed to have as many as 80 wives. He was recently convicted in Texas of child sex assault charges and sentenced to life in prison, plus 20 years. Jeffs is accused of performing and participating in so-called "child bride marriages."
 
fox13now.com
Originally broadcast October 11, 2011
 
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