Missing sect members found; leader hospitalized

[maiforpeace]

Missing sect members found; leader hospitalized

Jacob Adelman, Associated Press Monday, September 20, 2010

(09-20) 04:00 PDT Palmdale, Los Angeles County -- The leader of a breakaway religious sect was hospitalized Sunday for a mental evaluation, after members of her group went missing and left behind evidence that they were awaiting the rapture or some catastrophic event.

Reyna Marisol Chicas was placed under a 72-hour mandatory hold after it was determined she was not able to care for herself or others, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Thomas Kim.

Chicas gave investigators a false name and was rambling during questioning, Kim said. She told deputies she had no children, even though her two kids were with her.

Ending a frantic search, deputies found Chicas and 12 others just before noon at Jackie Robinson Park near Palmdale after getting a tip from a local resident, said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore. He said all members are safe.

Officers had been searching a wide swath of Southern California since Saturday after family members found letters saying the group was awaiting an apocalyptic event and would soon see Jesus and their dead relatives in heaven.

The group of Salvadoran immigrants described as "cult-like" by sheriff's officials, was led by Chicas, a 32-year-old from Palmdale, sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said.

Members left behind cell phones, identifications, deeds to property, and letters indicating they were awaiting the rapture.

The items came from a purse that a member of the group had left with her husband Saturday and asked him to pray over. He eventually looked inside and he and another member's husband called authorities, officials said.

"These letters read like a will and testament," said Whitmore. "Coupled with the two husbands that come in and tell us 'Our wives are missing, we believe they are under the spell of this lady,' " deputies had no choice but to treat the matter seriously, he said.

Sheriff's officials said there was no criminal investigation planned.

The men told investigators they believe group members had been "brainwashed" by Chicas, Parker said. One of the children in the group is 3, and the others range from 12 to 17.

Chicas used to be a member of Iglesia De Cristo Miel, a Christian congregation in Palmdale, but left about two years ago, said Pastor Felipe Vides.

"She appeared normal, calm. We didn't see anything strange," Vides said Sunday.

Chicas apparently had formed her own religious group, Parker said. About 12 to 15 people would gather at her home in Palmdale.

It just occurred to me that much money could be made tracking down people who think the rapture is coming and getting them to sign over all their property...

[drl2]

It just occurred to me that much money could be made tracking down people who think the rapture is coming and getting them to sign over all their property...

You're not the first person that has occurred to:

After the Rapture Pet Care

The Post Rapture Post