Governor Maura Healey (D-MA) defended the state’s decision to remove a teenage girl from her parents after her family refused to allow her to undergo gender transition surgery.
“Let me be clear about the facts in that matter. First of all, DCF [Department of Children and Families] did not remove the child because of a health issue or a gender-affirming care issue. DCF removed the child after there were criminal charges filed against the parents, including the father,” Healey told reporters, as per the Boston Herald. “As you know, DCF is responsible for the care and well-being of kids, and that’s what happened in this instance.”
“This is currently a subject of criminal prosecution right now against the parents. So, I’m not going to comment on this particular case right now, but I just want to be clear with the public that this child was not removed because of a gender-affirming care issue. This child was removed by DCF following the presentation of criminal charges against the parents,” she explained.
Joseph and Arlene Kutzko said that the state took their daughter nearly two years ago after they refused to recognize their child with male pronouns. They claimed their daughter’s school began the transition process without informing them.
The family’s lawyer, Vernadette Broyles, told the outlet that the governor is “dishonest.”
“It’s very dishonest, because there are no standing charges against them. There is no finding that these parents have committed any abuse against this child in the criminal court, nor is there any supported allegations of abuse or neglect against them, even in the juvenile court,” Broyles said. “So, no, that is, that is pretextual to whatever it is.”
A separate family sued a Massachusetts school district in 2022 after officials encouraged their child to use different pronouns without their consent.
