Friday, September 01, 2006

First editorial offered on McDonald/Newton county cults

Today's Joplin Globe features the first editorial on the subject of the fringe church/cults in McDonald and Newton counties, which have been publicized in the Globe, this blog, and in most area media:

The biggest question hanging over this sordid episode is who was looking after these children. Prosecutors, we assume, are asking the same question and directing investigators to find out.

If, as sheriff’s affidavits in both Newton and McDonald counties say, some of these crimes were part of “rituals," then it is logical to assume that others besides the actual perpetrators


That's an excellent point, and certainly brings into question the McDonald County Sheriff's Department's decision to leave eight children at the compound on Cecil Epling Way. If the deputies suspect others might be involved, then the children should have been removed for their own safety, even if Raymond Lambert, Patty Lambert, Paul Epling, and Tom Epling are no longer on the compound.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is absolutely crazy that they decided to leave those children at the compound...ALL of those people who are still at the compound support Raymond Lambert 100%, so they will happily subject their young children to any "ritual sex" that he wants. We shouldn't blame the sherriff's department for this folly, but rather the judge for making such poor decisions. Is LePage a follower of Raymond Lambert? Because his best buddy Evenson evidently is.

Anonymous said...

This is why I believe so many children fall through the cracks, as they say. It appears that the sheriff's office thinks the children are safe now because the bad people are gone. SOME of the bad people are the ones that even allowed this to happen to children.
Missouri always try to reunite the children back with the parents and that is a good thing IF changes have been made. However, I have seen in my own family that changes haven't been made and a social worker is still subjecting my little family members to neglect and being around possible drug use without any significant changes from the parents. When reported it is blown out the window without a care. It seems that above all it is always about what really is best for the adults AND getting the child out of the system! B.S. There will be a law suit against Jasper County DFS IF this is allowed to go on. Guarantee it!