'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 Terry

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To Pam TX
Who is looking after the children? The older siblings. That bond can be great or it can turn to hatred. Why should those siblings be stuck with the responsiblity of taking care of the younger siblings? That's mom and dad's responsiblity. Where is the one on one time with each child. The women get one on one time with the man. How can anyone say this is healthy for the children?

By lil-lin

I have seen Michelle hold Jordon while she was not attending to little Josie.

By Bev

The authorities need to go into these poligamous "nests" and clean out (arrest) all of them. Unfortunately, the offspring of these people are brainwashed into believing it is a good way to live. It does no good to break up one family--it's too late for them. At least two of the "wives" were raised in poligamous families, so think it is great. Somehow this practice needs to be stopped once and for all.

By Kate

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As a practicing Latter-Day Saint, I am saddened to see families like this portrayed on television as though they were the norm of our faith. Polygamy has not been practiced in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since 1890, when Wilford Woodruff was Prophet. My husband and I pray often that this tenet will not be reinstated on this earth, as neither of us believe that we would be able to follow it easily.

People like the Browns belong to a splinter group, who left the Church when polygamy was denounced as an earthly institution. The men in that group claimed that it was their right and duty under God, and chose a new prophet who believed as they did.

Please do not confuse these people with Latter-Day Saints!

By Apostate

This guy makes Warren Jeffs look like a saint.

By lking4trbl

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So if they weren't "married" but just all living together, it would be ok with the law? That's about as hypocritical as it gets! These are consenting adults. He's not taking some 15 yr old to be his "wife." And I don't care what they do as long as I don't have to pay for it through welfare or other social programs. As long as they pay their taxes, support themselves and their children and aren't harming anyone in the process. Go find some real criminals to prosecute!

By Jay Phillips

He has 4 wives. The Duggers have 19 kids. Whish is worse? I don't approve of either. Both shows should be removed. Give us somthing decent and moral to watch.

By Hello, SALLY!

I had to laugh when I first heard of this "program." First, what woman in their right mind shares her man? Second, I don't believe for a second this is one, big, happy family - human nature always has the last word. "My momma's better than your's" etc... And what value and moral set does it provide to the children? This man is no different than some gangsta who thinks making twenty kids is acceptable. This bozo might contribute to the financial up keep of the children, but by going public, how much crap will these children face from other children, even in Utah?
No, this guy is just a Tom Cat who thinks he can have his cake and eat it too and the women are straight up stupid.

By lindanuss

They go to a Mormon private school so I believe your point about them being teased by other kids has been squashed.

By PamTX

Hey Kelley you are a bigot too. I am betting you exhibit hatred, intolerance, obstinence, and prejudice against all sorts of people. Nature rewards homosexuality, incest and inbreeding with lack of offspring or damaged offspring. I am very tolerant of people doing as they wish with their lives and I deal with them with dignity but I refuse to be told I have to acknowledge it as good and right.

Why should TLC be prosecuted for anything? They are simply showing how some people live, so why not look at it as "educational" if nothing else. It sure doesn't mean you have to live that way or even watch the programs for that matter.

By lindamh162

These people are freaks. Couldn't any of these women find their own men and not have to share? Would any of the women be allowed to marry another man or is being married to multiple spouses reserved for men only? TLC has really gone downhill in the past few years. They seem to be in the business of exploiting people for ratings and money instead of being the learning channel. The people that allow this to happen are just as bad. People are being rewarded for having more kids than they can afford and being married to more people than is allowed by law.

By rob

kody is a really really good salesman! seriously, what balanced woman would ever agree to such an arrangement? the freak factor is the only reason there is a show. i don't believe they want to "share" with us nearly as bad as they want to cash the checks.
i see a possible backlash for "awesome guy" kody and his harem?

By YeahRight

All he wants is the exscuse to have sex with multiple women and think he is doing nothing wrong. Arrest and prosecute them all and this will stop.

By CJ

So this is the real life "Big Love"...seriously? I could see sharing the responsibilty of a mother..lol...ok your day for the kids!! LOL...but sharing a Man? charight....that would never happen in the South, ESPECIALLY with your own sister....wth? I don't even LIKE my sisters husband....

By VK

They aren't actually sisters, they just refer to themselves as sisters because they believe they are sisters through marriage. What goes on between consenting adults in the privacy of their home is none of my business, but I would be surprised if everything is as rosy in that household as it's portrayed on TV. While they are technically not doing anything illegal--he is only married to one of the women and there is no law against extra-marital affairs, I cannot believe it is anything other than a man wanting an excuse to have sex with multiple women and get away with it. Should they be prosectued? No, but I also don't think we should be promoting this as entertainment.

By Donna

They are hurting the children. All of those kids are going to grow up, and mix with society one day. If one of those boys were to try to date anyones daughter, would anyone let them? The fathers decision to marry so many woman and have so many children is self righteous, and negligent. And how does he pay for all of them? The woman are being used, and dont seem to know it.
Bottom line, the kids dont stand a chance at a noraml life. Kids tend to follow in parents path. I hope these kids understand their lives or not any where near normal, for anyone.

By victory

While I'm quite open minded, I think it's pretty "creepy" that this "as many wives as you can handle as well as children" is ridiculous. That there are woman in this world that go along w/ this kind of mind set is plain "kooky". Pure selfishness on the part of the husband. How are you going to provide for your children, health, educate, cloth, not to forget the moral message instilled in these kids. INVESTIGATE! I was surprised that TLC was airing such a program.

By marie

i agree with one person who said. the women are bein used. he keeps them till he gets bored. then marries another. now hes bored with all three of them. now he bringin on number4

By Gunsmoke

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Leave them alone period - what right does the state of Utah have to butt in to their personal Business.

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