Hearings to address the custody status of six girls taken from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound near Fouke, Ark., may be delayed at the request of lawyers representing the State of Arkansas.

Motions requesting “continuances” in the cases have been filed by attorneys representing the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The maximum extension for the custody hearings under Arkansas’ juvenile code is 30 days.

The girls, ages 10 to 17, were removed from the compound Sept. 20 after a search by the FBI and Arkansas State Police.

Adjudication hearings...