In a small desert village near the Arizona-Utah border, three children who disappeared more than two years ago have been found alive. Their disappearance from Beaver County, Utah, in October 2022 had baffled authorities, but the case was recently resolved after a tip about their potential location was given to local police in late August.
At the time, law enforcement suspected that the children’s father may have orchestrated their disappearance and hidden them. The children were eventually found in Fredonia, Arizona, under the care of their grandmother. Further investigation revealed that family members had actively concealed the children’s whereabouts, with the help of others in the community.
In connection with the case, the children’s aunt and grandmother were arrested, while their father remains at large. Reports suggest that the family was connected to the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saint (FLDS) church, a religious group known for its controversial practices, including child trafficking, child marriage, and sexual abuse.
A press release from the Fredonia Police Department confirmed that the children were safely returned to their mother after collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Arizona and Utah. The department thanked all those involved in the resolution of the case and emphasized that the investigation continues.
Fredonia, a small town with a population of just over 1,200, is located near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. In December, YouTuber Peter Santanello spoke with former FLDS members Sam and Melissa, who shared their experiences growing up in the church. They described a community where girls were often married off at young ages and men lived in fear of the church’s authoritarian control, particularly under the leadership of Warren Jeffs, the church’s now-imprisoned leader.
Sam, who grew up in a polygamous family with 36 siblings, explained the oppressive environment of the church, where marriages were arranged by Jeffs, and women, including young girls, were assigned to older men. He and Melissa spoke about the constant pressure men faced to maintain perfect lives and the fear of being cast out by Jeffs, who used individuals as examples to instill fear in others.
Warren Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted on charges related to child sexual assault.
