The State - News from Sept. 20, 1985

An eight-member state task force will open a thorough investigation of unsubstantiated reports that as many as 29 children were murdered in satanic rituals in Kern County, Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp announced. Seventeen people have been arrested on child molestation charges and about 19 children have been taken from their parents and placed in county custody. Polygraph examinations may be given, Van de Kamp said, and there will be no presumption that children cannot lie about sexual abuse. Contradictory reports by alleged victims prompted two Kern County grand juries to ask for the independent review by the task force.