Legal Battle Over Religious Rights of a 13-Year-Old Girl in Maine

A young girl in Maine is facing significant restrictions on her religious practices due to a judge’s ruling in a parental rights case. Since 2024, she has been barred from attending church, celebrating religious holidays, and even having Christian friends or access to the Bible.

This situation has unfolded over the past 18 months as Emily Bickford and her daughter, Ava, await an appeal in the state’s Supreme Court. The ruling by Portland District Judge Jennifer Nofsinger in late 2024 emerged from a dispute between Ava’s parents eight months prior.

These restrictions have deeply impacted both mother and daughter, raising questions about their interpretation of the First Amendment rights in the United States.

Bickford conveyed her concerns to a news outlet, stating, “No judge has the right to dictate our freedom to worship.” She emphasized the inherent right to religious expression granted in the Declaration of Independence.

Matt Staver, a lawyer with the religious rights organization Liberty Counsel, which is handling the appeal, indicated that this case could influence similar judicial decisions nationwide.

Staver pointed out that the organization usually engages in religious freedom cases and noted that the current situation was a blatant violation of those rights.

Disagreements can arise in joint custody situations, particularly regarding differing beliefs. Staver warned that allowing this ruling to stand might set a precedent that could strip Christian parents of their rights to raise their children in line with their faith.

Interestingly, the judge relied on sociologist Dr. Janja Lalić’s description of Portland’s Calvary Chapel as “cult-like,” raising eyebrows about labeling organized religions in such terms.

The evangelical community is prominent, with many quickly expanding churches in the U.S. Staver also noted that the judge’s order showed a lack of respect for monotheistic beliefs, particularly in how “God” was referenced in lower case.

Compounding the legal battle, another decision granted the father control over medical decisions after a disagreement about vaccinations for their daughter, further complicating matters. Bickford shared that tensions escalated after the father learned of Ava’s desire to be baptized.

During the court proceedings, the father claimed that Ava suffered from anxiety and left notes expressing distress about religious matters. However, Bickford contended that Ava had not reported any such issues to her.

Bickford indicated that she maintained a respectful dialogue about the father’s beliefs, with Ava feeling challenged but still retaining her faith.

A psychological expert testified that the church’s teachings might pose risks to children, citing sermons that framed the custody dispute in a binary of “good” versus “evil.” The judge acknowledged concerns about the emotional impact these messages could have on Ava.

Bickford discovered the order while preparing for church with Ava, leading to emotional reactions from her daughter, who questioned the fairness of the ruling and her ability to practice her faith.

Despite the challenges, Bickford believes her daughter’s faith remains strong. She highlighted the severe impact this ordeal has had on her and Ava, including the loss of crucial decisions about Ava’s upbringing.

Bickford’s appeal argues that the evidence presented did not satisfy the severity required for such restrictions. Staver remarked that excluding Ava from her church could do more harm than good.

During the hearing, discussions focused on the potential implications of scrutinizing religious beliefs and practices, with differing opinions on how to approach the issue of religious upbringing in custody cases.

Though some believe the order was justified due to the claimed anxiety, Staver reiterated the importance of preserving religious freedoms in parenting. His organization has a history of taking on similar cases related to Christian rights.

Looking ahead, Bickford expressed that even if they win the appeal, they would still face challenges. Her daughter’s social circle has changed, and reestablishing old connections may prove difficult.