SAN ANGELO, Texas —  Texas child welfare authorities are appealing a ruling in the polygamist sect case, arguing that the state was right to put more than 440 children in foster care.

The state is also asking the Texas Supreme Court to allow it to keep custody of the children until the appeals are settled.

The filings Friday come one day after the Third Court of Appeals in Austin said the state failed to show the children were in any immediate danger when they were rounded up last month.

Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hailed Thursday's ruling as vindication. They've said there was no abuse at the ranch in west Texas and they are being persecuted for their religious beliefs.