From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wee_Care_Nursery_School_abuse_trial :

Late 80's early 90's sounds like a hysteria created via cable religious shows???

The media naturally printed the most salacious details and because the "trials" got drawn out and lasted for years copycats were bound to happen...

in the 80s and 90s as well. I did do a brief Google and the 80s were dubbed "Satanic Panic", which resonated in my feeble memory banks. Tipper Gore and her witch hunt(ahem) against heavy metal kicked it into Congressional hearings. Just one example of many.

I bet there's a cool backstory to that one!

LeRoy Nieman, known principally for his impressionistic renderings of sporting events, was an early pioneer of this technique, and had to settle claims of up to $10M for copyright infringement in Satan v. Nieman for failure to share royalties with the joint creator of the works.

Nieman initially claimed that Satan's arm was no more sentient than a paintbrush or other tool. Unfortunately, upon taking the stand, Satan's arm became animated and threatened to take the souls of the jurors. At that point, Satan's attorneys called for a directed verdict, but the judge ordered the parties to go to mediation, rather than to extend the trial into an assessment of damages.

"The children recalled several plane trips, including one to Mexico, where they were sexually abused by soldiers before returning to Austin in time to meet their parents at the day care."

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/fran-keller-to-be-freed-in-satanic-abuse-case/nb5S2/

joint where the kids were held and sold

This is why I despise religion.

who will not take jobs involving children because of this possibility .

it was actually used by the san diego police department.

identifiers included having the following items in one's home: mortars and pestles, candles, incense, images of unicorns and fairies.

all the usual claptrap of the sorts of nonsense in those trials was also included. I was appalled that the city of SD would actually pay money for that nonsense.

There are three industries that always are the first to utilize any new technology.
From cave drawings to illustration to moveable print to radio TV and internet.
Religion
Porn
And wrestling (violence)

Even back then religion was able to keep their word spreading. From the little old lady handing out scripture on Halloween to radio to mailers.

In a related way, the Grateful Dead had an extensive mailing list. My brother used to get a mailer for each tour. I think you could buy tickets by the mail. At least you knew where the shows were going to be. It was the only expense the Dead ever had for advertising.

There were very specific instructions.

First, you had to make out a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Then, you had to put in a 3x5 index card with your name and information, the specific dates, the number of tickets, the type of tickets ("or any" ), arrayed on the index card in a particular way specified by the telephone number that you had to call for the recorded instructions.

Then you had to include a postal money order with the specific data on it laid out according to the instructions, etc.

The clerks at my post office were used to getting so many questions from people ordering tickets on those days, that they too knew the instructions and would provide guidance on how to make out your envelopes, index cards, and money orders.

San Rafael, CA 94912 - permanently burned into my memory.

What was also kind of nice is that the mail order tickets would usually be in designated blocks of the venues, so if you went to a couple of shows, even year-to-year, you'd end up sitting around people that you got to know over time.

Being that we lived 20 minutes from the Mothership in Hampton he always had 8 shows a year there. We also were right in the middle,of the east coast tour stops. He saw a lot of shows.
Richmond - until they stopped playing there - was an hour away. Roanoke was easily within reach too.

His first ticket was $5 face value.

And what punishment should be handed out to those who wrongly convicted them and ruined their lives (which they will not get back)?

I'm not talking about some messed up children.

I'm saying that whoever found them guilty of "cutting the heart out of a baby" -- seriously, whose baby was that and why didn't they complain or the cops investigate -- or "using Satan’s arm as a paintbrush" -- what the fuck is that even supposed to mean? -- why aren't those people in a mental home or a prison?

Why would a judge even allow a case to move forward with such insane statements?

That would be the most likely reason.

Yeah. Seriously.

Still like to know what punishment is handed out to those who convicted them.

(I know the legal system doesn't allow for that, but ... ... )