Catholic parents Joseph and Arlene Kutzko from Massachusetts are seeking custody of their 17-year-old daughter Sophie, who was removed from their care by child protective services in 2024. The Kutzkos allege that authorities took Sophie without their knowledge due to their refusal to recognize her gender identity. They claim that staff at Sophie’s high school in Northborough provided her with gender-affirming counseling and education that conflicted with their Catholic beliefs. Joseph Kutzko stated, "We didn’t find out until after Sophie was removed. It came on like a tornado."
The couple is being supported by the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, which argues that Sophie should not receive high-dose testosterone treatments without parental consent or court approval. Attorney Vernadette Broyless, representing the Kutzkos, stated, "We are actively fighting in court to keep them from really poisoning this young lady with testosterone."
Despite allegations of physical abuse at home, which led to Joseph Kutzko's arrest, the parents have not been found guilty of child abuse, and the claims have been disproven. Currently, the Kutzkos are not allowed to communicate with their daughter, a decision attributed to Sophie’s own choice, according to Broyless. The parents have managed to temporarily block the state from administering testosterone treatments to Sophie while awaiting a final court hearing. Broyless emphasized, "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."