Catholic parents fight Massachusetts for custody, says school 'transitioned' daughter

A Catholic family is fighting Massachusetts for custody of their daughter, alleging that a public school socially transitioned their gender-dysphoric teen without their consent, securing a temporary halt to cross-sex hormone therapy. 

Joseph and Arlene Kutzko sued state officials after the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) took custody of their daughter, Sophie, in December 2024.

The issue began when officials at Algonquin Regional High School started treating Sophie as a boy without the Kutzkos’ consent. The couple opposes transgender ideology on religious grounds.

When the parents protested, state officials took then-15-year-old Sophie out of their custody, in part because of the Kutzkos’ refusal to affirm the gender identity of their daughter.

A Massachusetts judge issued a temporary block on providing testosterone for Sophie last week, reported New Boston Post. A court hearing on the custody battle is scheduled for Oct. 29.

At present, the DCF has implemented a restraining order preventing communication between the now-17-year-old Sophie and her family, including her parents and brother. Vernadette Broyles, the Kutzkos’ attorney, told the Boston Herald that an unidentified adult helped Sophie get legal help to file the restraining order. The attorney also alleged that DCF put the teen on birth control and psychiatric drugs and placed her in a boy’s dormitory.

"Dad is a scientist and has science-based objections to the idea of ever telling a child that you can change sex because that’s impossible, as well as faith-based objections to the idea of a child rejecting how God has made her,” Broyles was quoted as saying. “And of course, they have medical objections to the idea of the child ever getting cross-sex hormones, which has irreversible  and damaging effects on a female’s body.”

Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has defended DCF’s actions and claimed the real reason for removing Sophie was “criminal charges” filed against her parents.

“DCF 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,” stated Healey, reported the Boston Herald.

“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.”

The Northborough-Southborough Regional School District, which includes Algonquin Regional High School, also issued a statement denying the family’s claims.

“Speaking generally about our policies and procedures, public school educators are mandated reporters. A specific set of criteria governs this,” they stated, reported the Herald.

“According to the Commonwealth’s own published materials, mandated reporters must make a report to the Department of Children and Families if ‘they have reasonable cause to believe that a child under the age of 18 years is suffering from abuse,’ and they must notify local law enforcement about injury, abuse or neglect.”

Broyles told the Herald the public officials' justification was invalid, since a juvenile court ruled last year that the abuse accusations against the parents were unfounded.

“It’s very dishonest, because there are no standing charges against them,” said Broyles. “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.”

Republican state lawmaker John Gaskey has announced his intention to introduce legislation to improve parental rights in Massachusetts.

“A public school and state bureaucrats allegedly facilitated a child’s gender transition, excluded her parents from the process, and then used the power of the state against those parents when they stood by their faith and judgment. The state has not merely crossed a line. It has destroyed it,” stated Gaskey, as quoted by NBP.

“As a parent and a state representative, I took an oath to uphold our Constitution, defend our fundamental civil rights, and protect the families of the Commonwealth. Stripping parents of their authority over ideological disagreements is unacceptable and must stop.”