TOPEKA — Children who fled from their mother several months after they were taken to sing for occupiers during the armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge will remain in the custody of Kansas child welfare officials.
The Kansas City Star reports that a judge cited abuse in ruling Wednesday that Odalis Sharp couldn’t get her children back. Sharp has 10 children, but several are over 18. The younger children were ordered to remain in state custody.
Several of the children testified that their mother hit them with rods. They said she yelled and screamed Bible verses during the punishment.
Sharp, of Auburn, said she was a woman of God and loved her children. Sharp has 30 days to appeal but said she hasn’t decided if she will do so.
