'Sister Wives' Family on Bigamy Investigation: 'Risk Worth Taking'

By Zach Dionne Posted Sep 28th 2010 03:26PM

'Sister Wives' Family Investigated for Felony Bigamy

The stars of TLC's new reality show 'Sister Wives' are the subject of an investigation by police in Lehi, Utah. The series features salesman Kody Brown, his four wives and their 13 children and stepchildren.

In response to the investigation, the Brown family issued the following statement to PopEater: "We are disappointed in the announcement of an investigation, but when we decided to do this show, we knew there would be risks. But for the sake of our family, and most importantly, our kids, we felt it was a risk worth taking."

Police told PEOPLE Monday they were looking into the family's situation before the show's Sunday premiere, and confirmed that publicity surrounding the series prompted the legal curiosity.

"At the conclusion of the investigation, the evidence will be forwarded to the Utah County Attorney's Office for review and possible prosecution," Lt. Darren Paul said.

According to PEOPLE, bigamy is classified as a third-degree felony in Utah but isn't often investigated.

See a clip from 'Sister Wives':

The family is content with their lifestyle, nontraditional -- and legally punishable -- as it may be. "If we raise productive, contributing members of society who are moral and ethical, that's our final goal, whatever their path is," says Janelle Brown, 40, who has six children with Kody.

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Comments

(235)

Tuesday 28 September

By Spike5

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And exactly what do you base this on? Did God tell you directly? Or is that how you interpret the part of the Bible where Abraham had sons by different wives? Or where Moses two sisters? Weren't both of them blessed by God?

By Lynn

Crazies. All a bunch of crazies. I feel for those poor children brought into the world to be raised by such a mixed-up bunch of adults. Every single one of those women are idiots and obviously have issues or they wouldn't put themselves in such a position as to be sharing their husband with these other women. BIZARRE!!!!

By Stefanie

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I watched this show, just out of interest and wonder. The children are VERY well behaved, the whole house seems stable. There wasn't any neglect, and they were happy. If they all agree it is okay, what is the problem. He is only legally married to the first wife. The others have a ceremony, but there is no legal paperwork filed to make it against the law. I was stunned to know that people live like this, but three of the four wives were raised in the same lifestyle. The third wife actually wanted to be a third wife, interesting, a little unconventional, but they are used to it. The family does everything together, the women have stability and actually like that they can do what they need to because there is always someone there.

Thursday 30 September

By just saying

Interesting...I couldn't do it...bet it saves money, sharing expenses.

By jayre

i think the ole boy should be left alone any man that can put up with 4 women is my hero he should be given the metal of valor 13 kids and 4 women damn good man

By jade P

With so many kids, are they taking welfare and food stamps? I'm sure he does not earn enough to properly care for 13 kids. Where is the radical right extremest people now. Is it moral to have all those wives and kids that are related. Will those kids end up marrying each other? Too many unanswered questions. I applaud Utah's stance on investigating this so called family. Its against the law.

By LINDA

Two of the wives help support the family. I don't see a problem with this, there are so many men that have as many children with different wives and don't take care of them. At least this man cares for his children. And each woman said a few times that they want their children to marry whomever they chose I don't think that they are messed up at all (the kids). They chose to raise their children in their religion, what is so wrong with that, so many kids are sent to catholic schools each year and we don't consider them brainwashed. I think as long as the individuals married are of consenting and legal age then he/ she should do whatever makes them happy.

By tuffpaw

As long as what they do doesn't hurt me or anyone else, I don't have a problem with it. Oh yeah, but it DOES: higher school taxes, higher taxes to support the additional police, fire fighters, courts (judges, legal aides, etc.), more traffic jams on the road to get stuck in, more big houses built where there used to be wilderness. The human population explosion is out of control, and if only people would just have one child to replace themselves (example, a typical husband and wife would only have two kids) and not be so selfish like this "family", the earth might have a chance to sustain us all. Unfortunately, some religions encourage people to have as many kids as they want and screw the Earth and the rest of the responsible people out there. This is why I have a huge problem with many (not all) organized religions: they are self-centered and mind-controlling.

By Jo

You dont have to be on state aide to raise 13 children. My mom and dad raised 15 and we did not have any help.

By LindaDe

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I'm confused. They are not all "legally" married so isn't his much like an open marriage or mistress situation? Which would not be a legal issue. With all the "baby mommas" around now why is the law rummaging here, in this relationship?

By Tammy

Is it okay for someone to just date around and have 13 different kids with different baby momma's?? The ability to make sound choices, is what seperates us from the animal kingdom!

But is it illegal? I don't think so.

By sj

People have children with different partners all the time...is it the number 13 that scares you? i know it's a spooky number.

they seem to love and care about their children...more than many parents or sperm donors out there.

By wrangler003

The women are stupid sheep following this fool. They need to wake up and look around them. They should be prosecuted, all of them. Utah has a lot of screwed up people in it. THey are all crazy.

By Clumzyklutz

No they're not on welfare, 2 out of the 3 wives have jobs. They're not your normal FLDS family. They aren't pushing their religious beliefs on their children, they said they want them to find their own path in life. All 3 of the 4 women (one is recent) were married to him before they even had their first child, so breaking up this family would ruin what these children have known. They've always had 3 mothers. Unlike the FLDS, they also don't have to follow the typical guidelines like wearing the little house on the prairie clothes, they go to public school, they are educated and Mari, the first wife, is going back to college. All of the women were also over the age of 18 when married. So it's not your traditional polygamist family is all I'm saying. But since you have FLDS members marrying off 14 year old girls, they can't say one is okay and the other isn't. Personally, I'd rather see them go after the FLDS first before they go after this family.

By G

This man is like a dog in heat - It was disgusting how he was running around the house from woman to woman - He showed no real emotion with the women other than hugs that seemed forced. When they show the soon to be new wife - he's like a giddy teenager. These women are as dumb as they day is long - the only one really benefiting from this marriage is the man. Correct me if I'm wrong marriage is between 2 people not 5!

Freaks of nature, huh? I would be willing to bet you're clearly superior moral fiber yields you very little joy in life. Why don't you pay attention to matters in your own home, as gay marriage has ZERO impact on anything in your life.

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your* (before you jump on your high horse)

By J

Why is this illegal? It is my understanding that he is only legally married in the eyes of the law to one woman. The others are only within religious ceremonies.
At least he is taking responsibility for his children and his "wives" and they are all working together to support their family.
How about all the thousands of men who have affairs or never marry women and father children and walk away, I don't believe they are the target of a legal investigation.

Just saying!!!!!!