INFANT DISCOVERED IN BARN, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAUNCH PROBE
Nazareth Carpenter Being Held On Charges Involving Underage Mother
Bethlehem, Judea (25 December) - Authorities were today alerted by a
concerned citizen who noticed a family living in a barn. Upon arrival,
Family & Child 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 16-year old mother,
Mary of Nazareth.
During the confrontation, a man identified as Joseph, also of Nazareth,
attempted to stop the social workers. Joseph, aided by several local
shepherds and some unidentified foreigners, tried to prevent efforts to take
the child, but were restrained by the police.
Both parents have been taken into custody.
Also being held for questioning are three foreigners who allege to be wise
men from an eastern country. Taxation and Homeland Security officials are
seeking information about these men, who may be in the country illegally. A
source with Mossad 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.
Joseph has admitted taking Mary 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.
Joseph is being held without bond on charges of molestation, kidnapping,
child endangerment, and statutory rape.
Mary 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 confident that with the proper therapy regimen
we can get her back on her feet."
A Government spokesperson 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."
Nazareth Carpenter Being Held On Charges Involving Underage Mother
Bethlehem, Judea (25 December) - Authorities were today alerted by a
concerned citizen who noticed a family living in a barn. Upon arrival,
Family & Child 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 16-year old mother,
Mary of Nazareth.
During the confrontation, a man identified as Joseph, also of Nazareth,
attempted to stop the social workers. Joseph, aided by several local
shepherds and some unidentified foreigners, tried to prevent efforts to take
the child, but were restrained by the police.
Both parents have been taken into custody.
Also being held for questioning are three foreigners who allege to be wise
men from an eastern country. Taxation and Homeland Security officials are
seeking information about these men, who may be in the country illegally. A
source with Mossad 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.
Joseph has admitted taking Mary 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.
Joseph is being held without bond on charges of molestation, kidnapping,
child endangerment, and statutory rape.
Mary 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 confident that with the proper therapy regimen
we can get her back on her feet."
A Government spokesperson 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."
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