‘They think that it’s their salvation’: FLDS cult-like religious group suspected in disappearance of Idaho teens

Authorities in Idaho are searching for two missing teens, Rachelle and Allen Fischer, ages 15 and 13, respectively. Their sudden disappearance has sparked concerns about possible links to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or FLDS.

The Amber Alert was issued for the siblings on June 23, 2025. It came after their mother, Elizabeth Roundy, reported them missing from their home in Bingham County. Roundy believes the teens may have willingly left, drawn by the promises of the controversial religious sect.

A mother’s fear: “They think that it’s their salvation”

The alleged FLDS cult teen disappearance is at a troubling intersection of vulnerable youth and extremist religious indoctrination. Roundy has spoken candidly about her past ties to the FLDS. She’s concerned the children might be influenced by the group’s teachings, which emphasize separation from mainstream society as a means to spiritual purity.

“They [were] willing to go because they think that it’s their salvation,” Roundy told ABC News. Roundy believes her children were not abducted in the traditional sense but manipulated into leaving.

Who are the FLDS?

The FLDS, often referred to as a cult-like offshoot of the mainstream Mormon Church, is led by imprisoned prophet Warren Jeffs. Known for its strict control over members, arranged marriages, and isolation from broader society, the group has long been scrutinized by law enforcement.

Despite Jeffs serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, his teachings continue to inspire loyalty among followers in remote enclaves across Utah, Arizona, and parts of Idaho. For families like Roundy’s, the influence of the FLDS lingers even after physically leaving the group.

Family ties, lingering influence

Roundy herself was formerly embedded in the FLDS community, a detail now central to investigators’ working theory. She left the group years ago to protect her children from its teachings. However, she now believes that certain individuals still in the movement have maintained contact with her kids. Law enforcement has not released the names of potential suspects. Police have confirmed they are exploring whether members of the FLDS played a role.

Investigation expands across state lines

Officials from the Idaho State Police and the FBI are now collaborating on the investigation. The possibility that the children may have been taken into areas with known FLDS compounds is being considered. Surveillance footage has reportedly shown a vehicle believed to be connected to the disappearance traveling toward southern Utah, a known stronghold for the sect.

A plea for their safe return

While the investigation is ongoing, Roundy continues to plead for her children’s return, appealing not just to law enforcement but to the members of the FLDS themselves.

As national attention turns to the plight of Rachelle and Allen Fischer, the case has reignited concerns about the FLDS’s ability to influence young minds and isolate them from their families. The case not only raises urgent questions about religious extremism but also highlights the enduring emotional scars left on families attempting to break free.