phoenix – A woman believed to be one of the 20 wives of an imprisoned polygamous sectarian leader in Arizona asked child welfare officials to release her two daughters from state nursing homes. federally charged with sending threatening emails to

The indictment of Josephine Barlow-Bistline is the fourth woman to face federal indictments related to self-proclaimed prophet Samuel Bateman. Three of Bateman’s wives were previously charged with kidnapping and obstructing a foreseeable prosecution after eight girls associated with the sect fled their foster homes.

Bistline told the Arizona Department of Child Safety case manager in a March 24 email that she was sent to prison, where she lived on a ventilator and had people help her breathe, according to authorities. He said he had to clean up afterwards.

According to the criminal complaint filed against her, Bistline told her case manager: because i love you. But you went too far. ”

Bistline has pleaded not guilty to charges of cyberstalking and interstate communications involving threats. Her judge ordered her to be imprisoned pending her trial. She was indicted in late March.

Bistline attorney Mark Paige did not immediately respond to a call Wednesday for comment.

Bateman and his followers practice polygamy, a legacy of the early teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The mainstream faith, popularly known as the Mormon Church, abandoned the practice in 1890 and now strictly prohibits it.

Bateman, 46, lived in Colorado, Arizona. Polygamy was openly practiced for a long time in an isolated community on the Utah border.

He was first arrested in August when he found tiny fingers in the gaps in the trailer he was towing in Flagstaff, Arizona. , found in a makeshift room in an unventilated trailer.

Bateman posted bail, but was arrested again in September and charged with obstruction of justice in a federal investigation into whether the children were transported across state lines for sexual activity.

He is said to have had more than 20 wives, including underage girls, but has not been charged with a crime directly related to the accusation.

Bateman has pleaded not guilty to federal and state charges, including child abuse, obstruction of a federal investigation, and aiding abduction.

Authorities removed nine children from Bateman’s home and placed them in foster care.

But then eight children escaped, and the FBI claimed that three wives were instrumental in getting them out of Arizona. The women have claimed their innocence.

The two are Bistline’s daughters and were discovered hundreds of miles away in Spokane, Washington. They remain in foster care.

In a separate email, Bistline declared Bateman innocent and said the caseworker sided with Judas Iscariot, a biblical figure known for betraying Jesus Christ and later committing suicide. rice field.

According to the criminal complaint, Bistline wrote: Bistline’s trial he is scheduled for May 23, 2024. The trial of Bateman and his three wives is scheduled for his March 5, 2024.