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Police continue baby body dig at religious sect farms
Police are into their second day of digging for the bodies of stillborn babies at two remote properties owned by the controversial Christian sect called Twelve Tribes.
NSW Police told news.com.au investigations at both locations – Picton, 100km southwest of Sydney, and the tiny town of Bigga, 300km west of Sydney — were continuing but could conclude this afternoon.
Aerial coverage of yesterday’s dig showed police officers in blue forensic overalls digging with hand tools and breaking up ground with mattocks and shovels.
Officers wearing gloves peered into the ground in what may be the graves of babies who suffered stillbirths – dying in utero before reaching full term – to members of the Twelve Tribes.
The religious movement is being investigated over the deaths of babies after it was alleged the sect disposed of stillborn children without informing authorities, which is illegal.
A Current Affair reported a former member named Rosemary lost her child at 38 weeks and the infant’s remains were taken from her and buried at a secret location.
“She was told at the time she lost her baby because it was God’s will … punishing her for her sins,” ACA reporter Alison Piotrowski said.
“She didn’t know where it was taken, but she believes it was buried at Bigga.”
The Twelve Tribes sect, which started in Tennessee in the 1970s, has a headquarters in the Blue Mountains, a coffee shop, the Bigga property and 22ha at Peppercorn Creek Farm in Picton.
The Twelve Tribes sect, which started in Tennessee in the 1970s, has a headquarters in the Blue Mountains, a coffee shop, the Bigga property and 22ha at Peppercorn Creek Farm in Picton.
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