Ruby Jessop
Born (1986-05-03) May 3, 1986 (age 37)
Known for2013 escape from FLDS
RelativesFlora Jessop
Carolyn Jessop
John Horne Blackmore
Winston Blackmore

Ruby Jessop (born May 3, 1986) is an American former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and child bride known for her family connections, her 2013 escape from an FLDS-controlled polygamous community, and the criminal probe prompted by her escape.[1]

Ruby is the sister of author and ex-FLDS member Flora Jessop.[2] In Flora's book, Church of Lies, she recounts how, as a fourteen-year-old, Ruby called her asking to help her escape after learning that she was to be married off to her second cousin and step-brother, Haven Barlow.[3][4] Flora writes that while the authorities were contacted, they were unable to locate Ruby as she was being moved from place to place to avoid contact with Flora.[2][3]

FLDS Prophet Warren Jeffs officiated at the wedding of 14-year-old Ruby and Barlow, who was then in his mid-20s.[4][5] When the two were married, this made Barlow her brother-in-law,[6] second cousin, step-brother and husband.[2][3] The intermarrying of Fundamentalist Mormon members is very common, as families have many members and only people inside the faith are deemed marriageable.[7][8] This can result in inbreeding and can cause genetic defects.[9]

After Ruby's escape, a press conference was held by Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne with Ruby and her sister Flora to announce not only the escape, but a probe into the alleged FLDS practice of holding women against their will and an investigation of the police force in Colorado City.[3]

Ruby has appeared on Katie Couric,[5] Oprah,[10] Anderson Cooper: 360°,[11] Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey,[12] and appears in Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith.[13]

Ruby is cousin-by-marriage of Carolyn Jessop, author of the New York Times Best Seller Escape and ex-FLDS member.[14] She is a relative of Winston Blackmore, the leader of a Canadian polygamous group, and also his uncle John Horne Blackmore, first leader of what became the Social Credit Party of Canada.[15]

References

  1. ^ Ng, Christina (January 23, 2013). "Arizona Former Child Bride 'Escapes' FLDS Community With Children". ABC News (20/20). Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Jessop, Flora (2010). Church of Lies. Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-0470565469.
  3. ^ a b c d Lee, Ken (January 25, 2013). "Former Child Bride, Held Over a Decade, Escapes Polygamist Sect". People. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Ng, Christina (January 23, 2013). "Arizona Former Child Bride 'Escapes' FLDS Community With Children". ABC News. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Couric, Katie. "FLDS Escapee Ruby Jessop Tells Story of Abuse for First Time". KatieCouric.com. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  6. ^ "Arizona mother of six escapes 12-year nightmare in Warren Jeffs' polygamous sect". Fox News. January 23, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  7. ^ Khan, Razib (August 31, 2006). "Inbreeding among Mormons". Discover. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  8. ^ "Polygamist Sects: How They Avoid Inbreeding Problems". Huffington Post. April 30, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  9. ^ Johnson, Kirk (July 31, 2004). "By Accident, Utah Is Proving An Ideal Genetic Laboratory". New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  10. ^ Damitio, Stacy. "Flora Jessop speaks about her experience with the polygamist lifestyle". The Voice. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  11. ^ Cooper, Anderson (January 28, 2013). "Tonight on AC360: Escape from the FLDS". Anderson Cooper:360. CNN. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  12. ^ "Here's Where This Ex-FLDS Child Bride Is Now: 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey.'". June 18, 2022.
  13. ^ Krakauer, Jon (2003). Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith. First Anchor Books. pp. 51–52. ISBN 1-4000-3280-6.
  14. ^ Jessop, Carolyn (2008). Escape. Broadway Books. ISBN 978-0767927574.
  15. ^ Bramham, Daphne (March 12, 2005). "Escape from Polygamy". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
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