Deputy spoke with missing California sect members while they were praying outside school

Missing Calif. members prayed outside school

PALMDALE, Calif. — A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy spoke with members of a break-off religious sect that has been reported missing while they were praying in their parked vehicles outside of a Palmdale high school.

Capt. Mike Parker says when the deputy made contact at 3 a.m. Saturday, the adults in the group said they were praying against violence in schools and against premarital sex.

Parker says the five adults and eight children were in three vehicles outside Pete Knight High School. The deputy said everyone appeared safe and he went on his way.

Parker says this last confirmed sighting of the group may give some clue of their possible future destinations.

The group from the Palmdale area left behind evidence that they were awaiting the rapture or some catastrophic event.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PALMDALE, Calif. (AP) — A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy spoke with members of a break-off religious sect that has been reported missing while they were praying in their parked vehicles outside of a Palmdale high school.

Capt. Mike Parker says when the deputy made contact at 3 a.m. Sunday, the adults in the group said they were praying against violence in schools and against premarital sex.

Parker says the five adults and eight children were in three vehicles outside Pete Knight High School. The deputy said everyone appeared safe and he went on his way.

Parker says this last confirmed sighting of the group may give some clue of their possible future destinations.

The group from the Palmdale area disappeared Saturday and left behind evidence that they were awaiting the rapture or some catastrophic event.

(This version CORRECTS that last known sighting was Saturday.)