SAN ANGELO, Texas — A polygamist leader in West Texas has agreed to pay child support dating to 2003, when his then-wife left the sect with their eight children.
Frederick Merril Jessop, the bishop of the Yearning for Zion Ranch, signed the order in court Thursday. He will pay his former wife $148,000 for seven years of back child support.
Natalie Malonis, Carolyn Jessop's attorney, said Friday that the bishop will pay $2,000 a month for the first six months and then $100 a month after that to cover the delinquent child support. Frederick Merril Jessop also will pay $2,450 a month to stay current.
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints broke away from the Mormon church, which renounced polygamy more than a century ago.
