Polgyamy custody hearing

It's believed to be the largest child custody case in US history.

A Texas courtroom soon filled up with- mothers and fathers, distressed over the fate of their children--hoping to get them back soon.

SOUNDBITE: Nancy, mother

"I left my daughter in her arms weeping--she was trembling, she was petrified, she has seen them take her brothers."

Two weeks ago ---416 children were removed from the (compound)(premises) of a polygamist sect near San Angelo Texas after authorities said they got a call from a teenager who said she was pregnant and forced to marry a much older man.

The children are now in state custody and today's hearing decides their fate. Witnesses described an emotionally charged courtroom as with multiple lawyers representing the children as the state presented its case.

"There are 416 of them, each of them entitled to their own lawyer and within 10days, we've raised enough volunteers who are coming here with no expectation of payment to represent these kids."

The state of Texas has asked to retain custody of the kids but the final decision lies with Judge Barbara Walther--in a case that could take days to be resolved.

Pavithra George, Reuters

weep·ing adj.

1. Shedding tears; tearful.

2. Dropping rain: weeping clouds.

3. Having slender drooping branches.
trem·ble intr.v. trem·bled, trem·bling, trem·bles

1. To shake involuntarily, as from excitement or anger; quake. See Synonyms at shake.

2. To feel fear or anxiety: I tremble at the very thought of it.

3. To vibrate or quiver: leaves trembling in the breeze.
compound - an enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)
premises

a. Land and the buildings on it.

b. A building or part of a building.