A Catholic family in Massachusetts is engaged in a legal battle to regain custody of their teenage daughter, who they allege was removed from their care by child protective services in 2024. The parents, Joseph and Arlene Kutzko, claim the removal was prompted by their unwillingness to recognize their biological daughter as a boy and that the school played a role in initiating her gender transition without their consent.
The Kutzkos reported that staff at their daughter Sophie's high school in Northborough exposed her to LGBTQ+ teachings that conflicted with their religious beliefs. According to the parents, the school eventually counseled Sophie on her gender transition. The Kutzkos stated they were unaware of these developments until the school alerted state child protective services, leading to Sophie's removal from their home.
"We didn’t find out until after Sophie was removed. It came on like a tornado," Joseph Kutzko recounted. The family has since partnered with the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, a conservative advocacy group.
Vernadette Broyless, an attorney with the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, expressed concern about the potential medical treatments Sophie might receive. Broyless argued in court that high-dose testosterone does not qualify as ordinary medical care and therefore requires parental consent or a court order. "We are actively fighting in court to keep them from really poisoning this young lady with testosterone," Broyless stated.
The parents have not been convicted of child abuse, despite prior claims of physical abuse at home, for which Joseph Kutzco was arrested. These claims were reportedly disproven, according to Fox News.
Despite these circumstances, the parents are currently unable to communicate with their child. Broyless noted that this situation is attributed to the minor child's choice. As of now, the legal team has succeeded in temporarily blocking the state from administering testosterone treatments to Sophie, pending a final court hearing.
"The most important thing is to bring her back to our family, but a shorter-term goal is to prevent them from giving her testosterone … We’re begging the state, ‘Please, do not give our daughter testosterone,’" the parents said.