‘Off-the-Grid’ Parents Lose Custody of 10 Kids
The Nauglers of Kentucky have temporarily lost custody of their 10 kids in a child-protective investigation. (Photo: Blessed Little Homestead/The Naugler Family)
Following a Monday court hearing, a Kentucky couple living what they call a “simple, back-to-basics life” in a rural, off-the-grid shack has lost custody, at least temporarily, of their 10 children. Joe and Nicole Naugler — who are expecting an 11th child in October — will remain under investigation by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), while their kids, ranging in age from 3 months to 15 years old, will stay in the agency’s custody.
“Although we are sad our children will not be returned to us today, we have nothing to hide,” Joe Naugler wrote on the family’s Facebook page, Blessed Little Homestead. “We have cooperated with all requests made to us by CHFS and will continue to do so. We are confident that throughout this process, Nicole and I will be shown to be the good parents that we are and that our family will be reunited.”
The court’s decision came several days after authorities removed the children from their home, following an anonymous police complaint about the family’s living conditions — which allegedly include residing under a crude tarp construction, having no heat or running water, and having no septic system (which the Nauglers dispute). But many of their supporters believe they’re being targeted for their lifestyle, which includes living off the power grid, birthing children at home, and relying on “unschooling,” which is a less structured approach to homeschooling.
The case is just the latest of its kind to raise national questions about Child Protective Services overreaching and flouting parental rights. Other cases grabbing the national spotlight recently have included that of the Meitiv family in Maryland, investigated by CPS for allowing their children to walk unattended to a nearby playground, as well as that of the Stanleys, in Arkansas, who had their seven children removed from the home in January over a dispute related to a mineral supplement.
Big Spring Landowners Paid to Accommodate Jade Helm, Says Mayor
BIG SPRING - Military officials have negotiated contracts with local ranchers to conduct Jade Helm training on their property, according to Big Spring Mayor Larry McLellan.
However, he said residents will not be "forced out of their homes" to accommodate troops during the large-scale military exercise, scheduled to run July 15 through September 15.
McLellan had no details about the contracts supposedly offered to Big Spring homeowners. Military officials were not available to answer questions about how many ranchers were being displaced or inconvenienced due to Jade Helm, and how much they would receive in compensation.
Jade Helm operations planners previously confirmed training will only be conducted on private and public land with the permission of landowners or regional authorities.
One lifelong Big Spring resident told NewsWest 9 he would not accept any amount of money to surrender his home to troops.
"I support our troops, but when they're trying to take over our civilians, that ain't cool," he said. "[Those are] their homes. That's where they live."
McLellan told NewsWest 9 residents could anticipate "[hearing] more airplane traffic," but no other major changes.
"We might also see new faces around town and in the grocery stories... but I don't think we're going to have people kicked out of their homes or [military personnel] knocking on doors in the middle of the night," he said.
McLellan confirmed Jade Helm personnel would be purchasing groceries and other supplies locally. Operations planners and city officials calculated "wherever they're training could see as much as $150,000 increase in sales" during the two-month exercise.
"It's not just groceries," said McLellan. "If they get sick and need to see a doctor... if they're short on supplies or equipment, they'll add to the local economy."
Rory Worthan, another lifelong Big Spring resident, said he had "no concerns about Jade Helm" and looked forward to the potential economic growth.
"Any influx into our small town of Big Spring would be welcome," he told NewsWest 9.
McLellan was quick to clarify the estimated $150,000 would be pumped into local businesses - not his own pocket.
"That's another rumor," he said. "I've had a call that we were paid $150,000 to [invite Jade Helm troops to train in Big Spring]. [There has been] absolutely no compensation... to the city, the county or myself."
Following an Army presentation in March during a Big Spring City Council meeting, city officials granted Army Special Operations Command permission to train within city boundaries.
The Special Operations mission will take place across seven states with "diverse terrain [that replicates] areas soldiers regularly find themselves operating in overseas," military officials said in a statement.
Special Operations Forces will train in only five states: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
http://www.newswest9.com/story/29060122/big-spring-landowners-paid-to-accommodate-jade-helm-says-mayor
However, he said residents will not be "forced out of their homes" to accommodate troops during the large-scale military exercise, scheduled to run July 15 through September 15.
McLellan had no details about the contracts supposedly offered to Big Spring homeowners. Military officials were not available to answer questions about how many ranchers were being displaced or inconvenienced due to Jade Helm, and how much they would receive in compensation.
Jade Helm operations planners previously confirmed training will only be conducted on private and public land with the permission of landowners or regional authorities.
One lifelong Big Spring resident told NewsWest 9 he would not accept any amount of money to surrender his home to troops.
"I support our troops, but when they're trying to take over our civilians, that ain't cool," he said. "[Those are] their homes. That's where they live."
McLellan told NewsWest 9 residents could anticipate "[hearing] more airplane traffic," but no other major changes.
"We might also see new faces around town and in the grocery stories... but I don't think we're going to have people kicked out of their homes or [military personnel] knocking on doors in the middle of the night," he said.
McLellan confirmed Jade Helm personnel would be purchasing groceries and other supplies locally. Operations planners and city officials calculated "wherever they're training could see as much as $150,000 increase in sales" during the two-month exercise.
"It's not just groceries," said McLellan. "If they get sick and need to see a doctor... if they're short on supplies or equipment, they'll add to the local economy."
Rory Worthan, another lifelong Big Spring resident, said he had "no concerns about Jade Helm" and looked forward to the potential economic growth.
"Any influx into our small town of Big Spring would be welcome," he told NewsWest 9.
McLellan was quick to clarify the estimated $150,000 would be pumped into local businesses - not his own pocket.
"That's another rumor," he said. "I've had a call that we were paid $150,000 to [invite Jade Helm troops to train in Big Spring]. [There has been] absolutely no compensation... to the city, the county or myself."
Following an Army presentation in March during a Big Spring City Council meeting, city officials granted Army Special Operations Command permission to train within city boundaries.
The Special Operations mission will take place across seven states with "diverse terrain [that replicates] areas soldiers regularly find themselves operating in overseas," military officials said in a statement.
Special Operations Forces will train in only five states: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
http://www.newswest9.com/story/29060122/big-spring-landowners-paid-to-accommodate-jade-helm-says-mayor
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