Hearing today on Northborough teen's gender transition over parents' objection

There will be a court hearing today where a Massachusetts judge will decide if a Northborough teen can receive hormone treatments — despite their parents’ opposition — to medically transition from a girl to a boy amid an ongoing child custody battle with the state.

This case could potentially be a landmark ruling. The Boston Herald reports Northborough couple Joseph and Arlene Kutzko are trying to stop the gender transition of their child, who is now 17. They say the state took custody of the child about two years ago, in December 2024, after they wouldn’t support their gender transition.

They also say, according to the Herald, that the high school, Algonquin Regional, started the process without their consent.

Court documents show the high school contacted police over abuse allegations by the parents. Charges against both parents were resolved but the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families concluded the parents were negligent. A permanent restraining order was later issued.

Gov. Maura Healey was previously asked about the case and she defended DCF, saying the Kutzkos’ claims are “incorrect,” and that the child was taken by the state due to criminal charges brought against them.

“Let me be clear about the facts in that matter. First of all, 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,” Healey said.

The Herald reports that the Kutzko’s attorney, Vernadette Broyles, told them that Healey is misrepresenting the truth and that no criminal charges stand against the parents.

The case has gained nation attention, and the Trump administration has taken notice, too. The Justice Department filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court last month in support of parental rights as part of a lawsuit out of the state of Washington, where petitioners are suing Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson over a state law allowing state officials to make medical referrals for minors when the child asks, regardless of parental consent, the Herald reports.

The U.S. Department of Education also announced last month that it had launched an investigation into the public schools of Northborough and Southborough to determine whether the district violated federal laws protecting parents’ rights, saying the parents claim that their child participated in counseling sessions after school to support the transition while they were under the impression it was academic assistance for math class. The parents further alleged that school staff began referring to their child by a male name and pronouns without their knowledge

“Parents have a right to know what is happening with their children at school, particularly when it concerns deeply personal matters involving their health and well-being,” said Frank Miller, Director of the Student Privacy Policy Office. “These egregious allegations are not an isolated problem. Families deserve answers and SPPO will thoroughly investigate reports like this and hold any educational institution that violates federal law accountable.”

The school district has said, according to the Herald, that it is aware of the federal probe, and it welcomes and will cooperate fully with any authority investigating this matter.