Reyna Chicas, leader of breakaway religious group in Palmdale |
PALMDALE -- Child-welfare authorities have taken custody of two children belonging to the leader of a religious group that went missing over the weekend in Palmdale.
Reyna Marisol Chicas, 32, was placed into an involuntary mental health evaluation after deputies found her group gathered at Jackie Robinson Park in Palmdale on Sunday.
Chicas' 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter were among the eight minors in a religious group, whose members sparked concern after leaving behind farewell letters to loved ones before a taking off on a mysterious trip.
They're all alive and well, Whitmore said.
They told deputies they had no intention of harming themselves.
Sheriff's officials say there is no criminal investigation planned.
Deputies were interviewing Marisol Chicas to try to figure out why the group went missing.
The group of El Salvadoran immigrants had left letters saying they were anticipating some apocalyptic event, and would soon see Jesus and their dead relatives in heaven.
They also left behind cell phones, identifications and deeds to property.
The items came from a purse that a member of the group had left with her husband Saturday and asked him to pray over.
He eventually looked inside, and then he and another member's husband called authorities.
The men reported the group missing at 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
A sheriff's deputy made contact with the group around 3 a.m. Sunday outside Pete Knight High School in Palmdale.
The adults in the group said they were praying against violence in schools and against premarital sex.
The deputy said everyone appeared safe, and he went on his way.
Whitmore described the missing people as part of a "religious off-shoot group."
He said the group was "cult-like," and "fundamentalist in nature."
The husbands who reported the group missing told investigators they thought the group members were "brainwashed" by Chicas.
They expressed worries that they would harm themselves, Parker sad.
However, friends of Chicas have said she is devout, but not fanatic.
They say she became increasingly religious after separating from her husband four years ago.
About six months ago, the group had gone on an outing to the Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, in the apparent belief that there was going to be a major earthquake, investigators say.
One of the group had apparently informed a family member of their intentions, which resulted in the cancellation of that event, and that group member was thereafter ostracized from the group.
Reyna Marisol Chicas, 32, was placed into an involuntary mental health evaluation after deputies found her group gathered at Jackie Robinson Park in Palmdale on Sunday.
Chicas' 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter were among the eight minors in a religious group, whose members sparked concern after leaving behind farewell letters to loved ones before a taking off on a mysterious trip.
They're all alive and well, Whitmore said.
They told deputies they had no intention of harming themselves.
Sheriff's officials say there is no criminal investigation planned.
Deputies were interviewing Marisol Chicas to try to figure out why the group went missing.
The group of El Salvadoran immigrants had left letters saying they were anticipating some apocalyptic event, and would soon see Jesus and their dead relatives in heaven.
They also left behind cell phones, identifications and deeds to property.
The items came from a purse that a member of the group had left with her husband Saturday and asked him to pray over.
He eventually looked inside, and then he and another member's husband called authorities.
The men reported the group missing at 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
A sheriff's deputy made contact with the group around 3 a.m. Sunday outside Pete Knight High School in Palmdale.
The adults in the group said they were praying against violence in schools and against premarital sex.
The deputy said everyone appeared safe, and he went on his way.
Whitmore described the missing people as part of a "religious off-shoot group."
He said the group was "cult-like," and "fundamentalist in nature."
The husbands who reported the group missing told investigators they thought the group members were "brainwashed" by Chicas.
They expressed worries that they would harm themselves, Parker sad.
However, friends of Chicas have said she is devout, but not fanatic.
They say she became increasingly religious after separating from her husband four years ago.
About six months ago, the group had gone on an outing to the Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, in the apparent belief that there was going to be a major earthquake, investigators say.
One of the group had apparently informed a family member of their intentions, which resulted in the cancellation of that event, and that group member was thereafter ostracized from the group.
