If It Happened In Our Day And Age

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From Deborah at WildestColts newsgroup:

INFANT DISCOVERED IN BARN, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAUNCH PROBE

Nazareth Carpenter Being Held On Charges Involving Underage Mother

Bethlehem, Judea - Authorities were today alerted by a concerned citizen who

noticed a family living in a barn. Upon arrival, Family Protective Service

personnel, accompanied by police, took into protective care an infant child

named Jesus, who had been wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a feeding

trough by his 14-year old mother, of Nazareth.

During the confrontation, a man identified as ph, also of Nazareth,

attempted to stop the social workers. ph, aided by several local

shepherds and some unidentified foreigners, tried to forestall efforts to

take the child, but were restrained by the police.

Also being held for questioning are three foreigners who allege to be wise

men from an eastern country. The INS and Homeland Security officials are

seeking information about these who may be in the country illegally. A

source with the INS states that they had no passports, but were in

possession of gold and other possibly illegal substances. They resisted

arrest saying that they had been warned by God to avoid officials in

Jerusalem and to return quickly to their own country. The chemical

substances in their possession will be tested.

The owner of the barn is also being held for questioning. The manager

Bethlehem Inn faces possible revocation of his license for violating health

and safety regulations by allowing people to stay in the stable. Civil

authorities are also investigating the zoning violations involved in

maintaining livestock in a commercially-zoned district.

The location of the minor child will not be released, and the prospect for a

quick resolution to this case is doubtful. Asked about when Jesus would be

returned to his mother, a Child Protective Service spokesperson said, " The

father is middle-aged and the mother definitely underage. We are checking

with officials in Nazareth to determine what their legal relationship is.

ph has admitted taking from her home in Nazareth because of a

census requirement. However, because she was obviously pregnant when they

left, investigators are looking into other reasons for their departure.

ph is being held without bond on charges of molestation, kidnapping,

child endangerment, and statutory rape.

was taken to the Bethlehem General Hospital where she is being examined

by doctors. Charges may also be filed against her for endangerment. She will

also undergo psychiatric evaluation because of her claim that she is a

virgin and that the child is from God.

The director of the psychiatric wing said, " I don't profess to have the

right to tell people what to believe, but when their beliefs adversely

affect the safety and well-being of others - in this case her child - we

must consider her a danger to others. The unidentified drugs at the scene

didn't help her case, but I'm confidant that with the proper therapy

regiment we can get her back on her feet. "

A spokesperson for the governor's office said, " Who knows what was going

through their heads? But regardless, their treatment of the child was

inexcusable, and the involvement of these others frightening. There is much

we don't know about this case, but for the sake of the child and the public,

you can be assured that we will pursue this matter to the end. "