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| CHILD BIGAMY BILL ADDS UP MARRIED MAN + CHILD BRIDE = 15 YEARS PRISON | ||
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Lu Ann Kingston was 15-years-old and wanted to wait before she got married. Despite her objections, she says her mother, her spiritual leaders and her hopeful husband applied intense pressure to tie the knot.
"I told them I was too young," says Kingston. "They told me that if I wasn't ready to get married it was because I wasn't a good person." Two months later she reluctantly became her husband's fourth wife. Rep. Susan M. Lawrence, (R) Salt Lake City, has introduced a bill she hopes will give girls like Lu Ann added protection under the law. House Bill 307 would make it a second degree felony if a married adult takes an additional spouse under the age of 18. A person convicted of child bigamy would face one to 15 years in prison. "These young girls need our help," says Rep. Lawrence. "We need to buy them enough time to reach adulthood before they are asked to make this choice, when they have few other options open to them." Attorney General Mark Shurtleff asked Rep. Lawrence to sponsor the legislation. "Our focus has been and will continue to be on protecting children," says Shurtleff. "Regardless of where they live or what they believe, this law will make it clear that we will prosecute anyone who commits a crime against a child." Shurtleff says he has talked to some polygamous leaders who support the bill. "They tell me that child brides give polygamy a black eye and have encouraged me to do something about it. I intend to do something about it." Lu Ann Kingston says the child bigamy law is needed because girls are still being forced into polygamous relationships. "I think it will make a difference. There are girls who are getting married who don't want to be married. They're pulled out of high school and ordered to start having babies. They don't even know that what is being done to them is wrong. Their lives are ruined." Kingston says she finally had the courage to stop being "wife number four" after she saw prosecutors start charging polygamists with crimes against children. "It sent a strong message." The mother of two has remarried and is getting a college education. Rep. Lawrence says this law will send a message of hope. "I think it will stop some girls from getting hurt and help others know they have a way out." | ||
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attorneygeneral.utah.gov Originally published February 20, 2003 | ||
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