If the FLDS children were put up for adoption, what are the consequences that might happen?

Question

and if they were brought back to their parents, what are the consequences that might happen?

Answer 1

In many states, parents are given 18 months to regain custody of their children.  During that time, they may be required to attend parenting classes, etc., in order to regain custody.  This happens before parental rights are terminated and the children made available for adoption.

These children will suffer the same consequences that most children do when removed from their homes, placed in foster care & later adopted.  They will likely suffer additionally because of the "culture shock" between the more restrictive, protected environment they've grown up in compared to a more open home.

If they are returned to their parents, they will suffer the same consequences that other children growing up in this closed society do.  The girls will likely be married off at an early age (as young as 14), and many of the boys will be expelled from the community (the "Lost Boys") because there aren't enough females to go around.

Historically, polygamy has at times occurred out of necessity - when there's been an imbalance in the male/female population.  

For these children I fear, either outcome is a sad.