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CNN Saturday Morning News
Authorities Talk to Children in Idaho Standoff
Aired June 02, 2001 - 08:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now on to that stand-off with five children in Idaho. An attorney for the children's mother says the first face-to-face talks have taken place with the youngsters and authorities are now saying they're hopeful the situation will soon be over -- CNN's Eileen O'Connor with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EILEEN O'CONNOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two sheriffs vehicles, two people hiding in the back, one possibly 15-year-old Benjamin McGuckin, who has been helping authorities, the other unknown. Prosecutor Phil Robinson says Benjamin's information indicates the children are scared and mistrustful.
PHIL ROBINSON, PROSECUTOR: He said the children are very frightened, he's sure by now. They don't know where he is. They don't know where their mother is. They've had no communication with anyone. There are very few people they've ever trusted.
O'CONNOR: Bryce Powell, the attorney for the children's mother, says his client is cooperating, trying to end the stand-off.
BRYCE POWELL, JOANN MCGUCKIN'S ATTORNEY: Again, that is progress. Things are looking better but we've got a lot to do.
O'CONNOR: The sheriff's office says food and water was delivered earlier. Still, five other children are on the family farm, reportedly with guns and vicious dogs they turned loose on authorities who had come to take the children in for protection on Tuesday. Their mother JoAnn was arrested for not providing the children basic necessities, cutting the family off, fearful of authorities taking the family home over a tax debt.
Bryce Powell is trying to get their mother's bond reduced and says with her husband dying, JoAnn McGuckin did the best she could to provide.
POWELL: They were living their life to survive. Again, like I told you, this is north Idaho, where people value their freedom and if freedom means anything, it means the right to live your life the way you choose and raise your family the way you choose and to be left alone.
O'CONNOR (on camera): Federal law enforcement sources tell CNN they are not overtly concerned by some threats that other militia groups critical of local and federal law enforcement will come to aid the children. And, federal officials say, they are ready to help out, but only if local law enforcement wants it. All agree the situation here is still volatile.
Eileen O'Connor, CNN, Garfield Bay, Idaho.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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