Catholic parents fight Massachusetts custody case after they say school socially transitioned their daughter
Caroline MolloyA Catholic couple in Massachusetts is challenging a state custody case involving their 17-year-old daughter and a dispute over her gender identity.
Joseph and Arlene Kutzko said their daughter was removed from their home by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families in late 2024. In interviews with Fox News, the parents and their attorney said staff at Algonquin Regional High School had previously begun using a male name and male pronouns for the teenager without informing them.
The family says its religious beliefs prevented the parents from referring to their daughter as a boy. Their attorney, Vernadette Broyles, said the school later reported the family to state child-welfare authorities. Zeale reported that the school had no comment on the allegations and that DCF had not responded to Fox News’ request for comment at the time of publication.
According to the family and its attorney, DCF currently has custody of the teenager and a restraining order limits contact with her parents and older brother.
The parents are also contesting a request for court authorization to administer testosterone to their daughter. Their attorney said a judge temporarily blocked that intervention while the case proceeds, with another hearing scheduled for Oct. 29.
The underlying facts and legal questions remain contested, and the case is continuing through the Massachusetts court system.
