A high school in Massachusetts has been accused of encouraging a girl’s gender transition while disguising it as “math help,” leading to her removal from her parents’ custody, according to the lawyer for her Catholic parents.
The Trump administration is reportedly conducting an investigation into the school district after allegations surfaced that officials “facilitated” the girl’s transition without her parents’ consent or knowledge.
‘Sophie should not only be returned to her parents, but there should be civil and criminal penalties for such misconduct by government agents.’
According to Joseph and Arlene Kutzko, their daughter Sophie has been in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families since December 2024, when she was 15. The Kutzkos reportedly did not recognize her as a boy or use male pronouns or names, leading to state intervention, with the issuance of a restraining order against them.
Vernadette Broyles, the Kutzkos’ lawyer, stated that the parents were misled and thought Sophie was merely receiving “math help” at Algonquin Regional High School, while a counselor was allegedly guiding her through a “social transition.” “They were deceived,” Broyles added.
Broyles described the Kutzkos as a loving family and stated that their struggle has been “hell on earth” as they navigate multiple court battles to regain custody, which has left them financially strained.
In the meantime, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, responded to the case by emphasizing that the child’s removal wasn’t related to her gender identity. According to the governor, “DCF did not remove the child due to a health issue or a gender-affirming care issue.” Healey clarified that the intervention followed criminal charges filed against the parents.
However, Broyles disputed this claim, stating that the abuse allegations were found to be baseless in juvenile court, and there was no conviction in criminal court. “It’s very dishonest because there are no standing charges against them,” she argued.
As the Kutzkos’ legal bills exceeded $150,000, Broyles revealed that an unidentified adult had helped Sophie obtain a restraining order against her parents while in state custody for almost a year, which is still in effect.
This order stipulates no contact, and Broyles indicated that the Department of Children and Families supported this arrangement. Additionally, the parents face ongoing neglect allegations that have never been clearly explained to them.
Broyles suspects the neglect claims are related to the Kutzkos’ refusal to support Sophie’s desire for medical transition, but she believes Massachusetts officials are reluctant to admit this connection.
Despite the lack of any guilty finding against the parents, Broyles remarked that they have not been allowed to interact with, let alone see, their daughter for 20 months. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” the attorney exclaimed. “How are these people so dangerous to her? … It seems like the state believes these parents pose a risk and are hiding behind vague neglect claims. It doesn’t make sense.”
Broyles also noted that Sophie, previously an active Catholic who was very involved in her church, appears to have been led into adopting beliefs that contradict her parents’ values. This manipulation seems to stem from those in charge of her care, who are strongly advocating for her gender transition. According to Broyles, Sophie is now on birth control, stays in a male facility, and they plan to administer testosterone—a step her scientifically-minded father opposes.
“She’s probably been heavily influenced by now,” Broyles shared.
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C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, commented that the Department of Children and Families in Massachusetts operates without accountability and has a history of overstepping bounds regarding parental rights and religious freedom.
Doyle charged that the actions against the Kutzkos reflect “state-sponsored kidnapping” and government-led harm to children, representing an attack on parental authority and family integrity. He further asserted that Sophie should be reunited with her parents, with governmental agents held legally accountable for their missteps.
As for the unfolding federal investigation, the U.S. Department of Education has begun investigating whether the school district violated laws pertaining to student privacy and parental rights in Sophie’s case.
“Parents deserve to be informed about what’s happening to their children in school, especially regarding deeply personal issues related to health and well-being,” stated Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office, pledging a thorough investigation into these serious allegations.
In response, the Algonquin Regional High School and the Northborough-Southborough Regional School District have dismissed the Kutzkos’ claims as “baseless” and “grossly insensitive, intrusive, and dangerous toward the child,” according to reports.
The Kutzkos are set to appear in court again on October 29.
