'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 rtjttodd

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Absolutely disgusting!

By Kathy

These people are disgusting. He is a perv and the women are desperate; who unfortunately can have children. They are all bringing children into this cult like lifestyle; and the welfare system will; as usual, end up footing the bill for their lifestyle. They should all go to jail and hopefully the innocent children end up with sane, normal people.

Saturday 02 October

By daisy dukes

Really??? These kids should be uprooted from thier loving mothers and watch their family go to jail????? Yeah, you're right, they should place these children with "sane" people... like you. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Here's a couple of hints for you:
#1. They are doing nothing illegal, therefore will not and should not be jailed.
#2. Just because you don't agree with someone's lifestyle does not mean that they are "insane" and that you are not. YOUR way of thinking is NOT the only correct way. Sorry to burst your bubble.

PS.. I don't by any means agree with this... but I don't condemn people for making choices I would not make. These children are healthy, appear to be healthy, well mannered, and educated. That is all that matters. It is not up to YOU or any other closed minded, ignorant group or individual to decide if the way a child is being raised is unacceptable - just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean they are being harmed. It's just simply not your way of thinking... too bad.

By Ernie

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What looks to be a very nice house.My question is are his 4 wives each collecting welfare for all the kids?

By LindaDe

So change your channel. You do know how don't you?

By Mark

Go figure This is not ok but being gay is.

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And women wonder why men belittle them and treat them with no respect! It's because of crap like this, in order to have respect you have to respect yourself! Sharing your body with one man who has multiple partners is disgusting and sets a bad example.

By PamTX

In the Mormon church men are demigods and women can not attain afterlife (heaven) without being spiritually married to a man. This means that women feel grateful just to be accepted (married) to a man for her salvation. The man is like a priest and every female he marries is like adding another member to his little church. Salvation and church growth through polygamy.

By Shari Trowbridge

I am in no way defending bigamy; however, if child welfare is the issue, how do you differeniate between an unmarried couple living together and having multiple children (Bradgelina) or gay unmarried couples having children vs. four baby-mommas with the same baby-daddy? No one really knows the long term effects that these "non-traditional" forms of "family" have on the health, moral or ethics of our children. Are we teaching our children to strive to be social outcasts? I don't think it's fair for us to rank which "non-traditional" relationships are the healthiest. The fact is, we don't know. If it is best for our children to be raised by one woman and one man in a marital relationship, then the law should apply to all who are not raising children this in this manner.

By justme

To folks like Lou, it is hardly acceptable to think that self-autonomy trumps morals and the word of God. This man is laying up with 3...now 4 women...these women and this man are placing their children (who really have no choice in the matter) on display for public ridicule.....so i hardly agree that these folks should just be left alone. Its against the law and should not be praised by any means. Its wrong. Its actually sick and unsafe....

By Calicin

Take this Sister Wives off tv. This show is just wrong. What will happen is this. Young men and women whom are in need of families will opt out for this lifestyle. Believing this will give them the family they so crave. This will place these young adult in a life of further unhappiness. What about the young girls whom just want to get out of the house? What a solution this will seem to them. These sister wives do not look very happy to me. I watched one episode and it was very sad. The first wife seemed neglected the second works 14 hour days to make ends meet the third never seems to leave the house. What a terrible life.

By VIC0857

ANY MAN WHO HAS FOUR WIVES SHOULD BE HUNG.

By kittyfriskywhiskers

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Maybe that's why he has 4 women...;0]...lol.....(sorry for being crude, I couldn't help myself...)

Wednesday 29 September

By steve

Of course he should be hung. Do you think they'd want someone with a small weenie???

By Bruce

Has anybody seen the series on HBO called: Big Love!
A series drama about the exact same thing and I don't
see an outcry with the susject matter. OR how about
HUNG, ON HBO, the guy with the big whopper in his pants.
Bet the girlies watch that one! My point is who cares!
Watch if you want or don't. Don't think dad pops the
popcorn and calls the family to sit and watch these shows.
Remember it all starts with you! I'd worry more over the
music the industry has our kids listening to. Get song,
beep-beep-beep-beep!!!!

By Toomuchgossip

In my personal opinion, anything except a monogomous relationship is immoral...HOWEVER...
If a woman has been intimate with 10 men, impregnated and given birth by 4 of them, lives as a single mother of 6 on food stamps and in public housing (not legally married, but living with the future father of child #7) Isn't the "family household" situation better in the polygomists home? The multiple partners, numourous "baby mommas/daddys", and un(lawfully)married sex are the same, but the children are taught to work, provide, have faith, and overall to be honest. I am in no way Pro-polygomist, but are our neighboors doing the same thing except neglecting all those children? I don't see the authorities trying to take care of that. Thank you God for giving me one Father, one Mother and one simple household.

By mary

How much of our taxes are being used to pay for this family

Thursday 30 September

By UCLA RN

Good question Mary. I have answers and questions, Ok he has only one biological child with his legal wife (#1) sister wife #2 and sister wife #3 brought their children into this zoo and I would be curious to know if these childrens biological father's are paying alimony or more importantly child support. As far as sister wife #4 I have no idea if she works like sister wife's numbers 2 & 3.

By LINDA

I WATCHED THE SHOW ON SUNDAY AND WHAT I SAW WAS AN ARROGANT MAN WHO IS HAVING ALL "FUN". HE DRIVES A LEXUS, GOES TO A JOB TO GET AWAY FROM ALL THE DRAMA CREATED, SCREWS WHOMEVER HE WANTS.. THE WOMEN AND KIDS DO ALL THE WORK AND CATER TO HIM. THE ONLY THING I SAW HIM DO WAS USE A CHAINSAW! WHOOPPEE!! I'M FEMALE AND CAN DO THAT!! DID I SEE HIM CLEAN HOUSE, COOK, HELP THE KIDS WITH SCHOOL WORK..? JANNELLE WORKS AN OUTSIDE JOB TO GET AWAY, IT'S VERY OBVIOUS THOSE WOMEN ARE DEPRESSED AND DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE OR WEIGHT, THEN HE STRAYS OFF TO GET A 30 SOMETHING 4 HRS AWAY. HE AND THOSE WOMEN NEED PSYCH COUNSELING IN THE WORST WAY.. I HATE TO SEE THE END RESULTS OF THE KIDS WHEN THEY ARE GROWN!! COUNT ME OUT!! THERE WILL BE A NEW SHOW CALLED "REFORM THE CULT MEMBERS TO NORMALCY!!"

By Bob

I'll be honest, I envy that guy! He is able get multiple women to live with him - and I'm unable to get even one. Not that I haven't been working at it.
Just haven't found anybody - it's depressing at times, but onward I go. Any women interested? I'll repond to your inquiry! (See, I'm still trying).

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