Source: USATODAY.com

Arkansas authorities have taken into protective custody 21 children associated with the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries based on allegations of neglect and physical abuse.

Three children were seized Tuesday at the Texarkana courthouse, the site of custody hearings this week for six girls taken during a September raid of the evangelist’s compound in Fouke.

Police took the other 18 children from two vans during a traffic stop.

Department of Human Services spokeswoman Julie Munsell declined to elaborate on the allegations of neglect and abuse in the court order authorizing the seizure.

The 74-year-old Alamo has pleaded not guilty to two federal counts of transporting a juvenile across state lines for sex.

Alamo has preached that the Bible allows young girls to marry once they reach puberty but has said he didn’t adopt the practice. However, witness testimony and assertions from prosecutors indicate otherwise.

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