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.
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The girls were treated for the effects of cold and symptoms of dehydration but didn’t have any other obvious injuries.