Louis N. Molino, Sr. CET
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/religious-groups-alleged-leader-held-after-search-linked-to-mass-suicide-fears-ends.html
The woman identified as the leader of a small religious group was being held for questioning after a 22-hour search sparked by fears of a suicide pact, officials said.
Reyna Marisol Chicas, 32, who has been identified by family members as the leader of the group, initially gave authorities a different name when approached by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies in a park east of Palmdale, authorities said.
Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore called Chicas "disingenuous" about her identity.
The other 12 members of the group, including Chicas' children, voluntarily agreed to be transferred to the Palmdale sheriff's station, Whitmore said.
The group was found around noon at Jackie Robinson Park, east of Palmdale, sitting on blankets laid out on a lush green lawn in the shade of a pine tree. A resident who had seen news reports on the missing group spotted them at the park and called the Sheriff's Department about 11:30 a.m.
When deputies arrived at the park, Chicas was playing with some of the children on the swings, while the others sat on blankets praying, said Capt. Mike Parker. "They seemed shocked," Parker said. "They said we are Christians, and we would never harm ourselves."
When deputies told them that notes and gathered personal belongings they left behind had made relatives suspect otherwise, they reponded by saying, "It's sinful to have [worldly possessions] when you're praying because they bring evil," Parker said.
The group had spent the night at the home of Chicas' friend, he said.
Parker said the department devoted "a huge amount of time" to the manhunt.
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Dean"Sooner or later we all quote our mothers."
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