The events began when police raided the sect’s farm in Oratorio, southeast of Guatemala City, on Friday, taking the children into custody.
Prosecutors said there were suspicions of “forced pregnancy, child abuse and rape.”
But two days later, about 100 relatives of the children – all members of the sect – gathered outside the center where they were being held to call for their return.
Then some members of the sect forced open the gate and tried to kidnap the children and teenagers who were sheltering there, the General Prosecutor’s Office said.
But the children were intercepted by the authorities and put in a white van, local media reported.
With the help of the police, the center “managed to find and protect everyone again,” added the General Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials had earlier tried to check on the children’s welfare, but the sect members would not let them into the farm.
According to the authorities, the community consists of about 50 families living in Guatemala, the United States, Canada and other countries.
The Jewish community of Guatemala issued a statement rejecting the sect, calling it foreign to its organization.
It expressed support for the Guatemalan authorities in carrying out the necessary investigations “to protect the lives and integrity of minors and other vulnerable groups that may be at risk.”
