At least 1 Canadian among residents of Texas polygamist ranch

At least one Canadian is among the residents of a polygamist ranch in western Texas that had 462 children removed and placed into state custody, the Foreign Affairs Department said Friday. 

"Consular officials have confirmed the presence of one Canadian citizen," a statement by Foreign Affairs said. "Contact has been made with the lawyer representing the Canadian and assistance is being provided."

Foreign Affairs would not give details on whether the Canadian citizen is one of the children who has been taken into state custody.

The announcement came as state authorities said the last of the children seized from the compound were moved out of temporary shelter at a San Angelo coliseum Friday and bused to foster homes across the state.

State officials raided the ranch on April 3 and took custody of all the children after receiving a report that a 15-year-old girl illegally married and had a child with a 50-year-old man.

The number of children seized by the state rose to 462 on Thursday after more mothers at the ranch were discovered to be under the age of 18.

The custody case is believed to be the largest of its kind in U.S. history and has been complicated by complex family relationships. Children are undergoing DNA testing as officials try to figure out their family bonds.

The ranch is home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, part of a sect that broke away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon Church, after the latter disavowed polygamy more than a century ago.

Some of the children taken from the ranch are reportedly Canadian, likely from the B.C. polygamist community of Bountiful.

B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal says he is closely monitoring the developments in Texas.