Salt Lake City, USA - The woman at the center of a criminal case involving polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was 14 when forced into a marriage with her first cousin, a source close to the case said.
At Jeffs' direction, she was married despite her objections in 2001 to the cousin, who was older than 18, the source close to the woman told The Associated Press.
The marriage was monogamous, not polygamous, the source said.
"It was child abuse, plain and simple," said the source, who asked not to be identified to protect the woman's identity.
Jeffs, 50, is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a southern Utah-based church.
In April, Washington County prosecutors charged Jeffs with two first-degree felony counts of rape as an accomplice for his alleged role in the marriage.
A fugitive for nearly two years, Jeffs was arrested in August during a traffic stop near Las Vegas.
Washington County prosecutor Brock Belnap has said repeatedly that the case was about child abuse and not an attack on polygamy, which is practiced by the church.
Jeffs' defense attorney, Walter Bugden, after a September court hearing, said his client believes the case is one of religious persecution.
No charges have been filed against the woman's husband, although Belnap said he has not ruled out filing additional charges related to the Jeffs case.
The case is one of several filed over the past two years that reflect a renewed state interest in prosecuting alleged abuses of women and children who are members of Utah or Arizona religious sects that practice polygamy, some of which have involved underage girls.
Jeffs faces Arizona charges similar to those filed against him in Utah.
Telephone messages left at Belnap's office and home on Friday by the AP were not immediately returned.
Criminal court documents filed in 5th District Court identify Jeffs' alleged victim as Jane Doe No. 4, and Belnap's office has refused to give details about her.
The alleged victim is expected to testify at a Nov. 21 preliminary hearing in St. George when a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial.