Ark. seizes 20 more children from Alamo group accused of abuse

Stories of alleged beatings and sexual abuse prompted Arkansas child-welfare officials to take custody of  about 20 more children associated with the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, an official said Wednesday.

The children – 11 boys and 9 girls ranging in age from 1 to 17 – were taken into state care Tuesday while hearings were being conducted on whether six girls seized in September should remain under state protection or be returned to their parents, said Department of Human Services spokeswoman Julie Munsell.

Munsell said Wednesday the children picked up Tuesday in Miller County showed no immediate signs of poor health and did not require medical attention.

Alamo was arrested by the FBI in September, days after his compound in Fouke was raided by state and federal agents. The six girls, between ages 10 and 17, who were the subject of Tuesday’s hearings were seized for their own protection.

Alamo has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of transporting minors across state lines for sex.