A man described as a self-styled prophet was charged Wednesday with child abuse and kidnapping after two girls were found hidden in plastic water barrels in a makeshift compound in the southern Utah desert.
Samuel Shaffer led a group with beliefs in doomsday and polygamy called the Knights of the Crystal Blade.
Iron County Sheriffs officials said two girls were hidden from authorities in 50-gallon barrels, and two other girls were also found in an abandoned trailer on Monday.
The girls were treated for the effects of cold and symptoms of dehydration but didn’t have any other obvious injuries.
