Is there anything more diabolical than a parent abusing a child? A close second may be cases in which states falsely accuse parents of child abuse, seize children without due process, and subject them to “treatments” such as chemical castration or genital mutilation.
Given the power imbalance between the state and parents, the pendulum has swung too far in favor of the state. If red state legislatures needed to change their “child welfare” laws, now would be a good time.
The gravity of takedowns should be treated similarly to criminal proceedings in terms of evidentiary standards and due process.
Krista and Todd Kolstad, a couple from Glasgow, Montana; Charges against Montana Children and Family Services He was accused of medically abducting his mentally ill 14-year-old daughter and placing her in a facility where she underwent transgender “transition therapy” against the will of her legal parents.
The Kolstads’ nightmare began in August 2023, when their daughter came home from school and expressed suicidal thoughts. The CFS visit helped them manage the admission process at a facility in Montana. Todd and Krista are now accusing hospital staff of intentionally encouraging their daughter to accept her mental illness and calling her by the name “Leo.”
In September, CFS officials transferred the girl to a facility in Wyoming, preventing her parents from seeing her.She was then returned to Montana under their auspices, but on January 19th, a judge decided control The daughter was placed in CFS custody for six months with the aim of sending her to Canada to live with her biological mother. Her stepmother, Krista, claims Todd’s biological mother from his first marriage has been invisible for “years.”
These are serious accusations, and not the kind of scenario you would imagine playing out in a rural red state.parable fraction While the Kolstads’ account is true, it raises serious questions about the usefulness of Montana’s executive branch.
As national conservatives reacted angrily to the story earlier this week, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte announced that the lieutenant governor would investigate the incident and that “DPHHS and the courts will comply with state policy and law and comply with national policy and law.” We have responded,” replied X (former Twitter). this tragic incident. ”
In a subsequent statement, Gianforte spokesperson Caitlin Price He did not directly refute the Coldstads’ specific claims. Instead, she said, “Broadly speaking, states may remove minors from their homes to provide sex reassignment services while they are in the custody of the state or pay for those services.” We will not use taxpayer funds to do so.”
Because child abduction cases are confidential, we only get one side of the story. However, as we dig deeper into the facts of this case, we can say with certainty that the power dynamics tilted too far in favor of the state’s power to remove children, and that Mr. Gianforte was weak on the issue. is.
Gianforte exercised his veto last year. HB37This requires CFS caseworkers to obtain a judicial warrant before removing a child, ensuring that drug use and irregular living conditions do not amount to physical or mental harm, and requiring the court to They requested that the initial hearing be scheduled more quickly. Gianforte vetoed the bill. Although it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, lawmakers were unable to muster enough votes to overturn it.
In this era of woke and weaponized medical and educational professionals, “guilty until proven innocent” allows state authorities to remove children if parents disagree with their political or social agenda. standards that we cannot tolerate.We’ve already seen what happens to Maine. Tried to allow the state to remove children If parents do not agree with their temporary gender dysphoria.
One of the major problems in family courts is that child abductions are treated similarly to divorce proceedings. The procedure is different from a criminal trial. Most parents would rather spend a few months in prison than have their children taken away by the authorities. Therefore, the seriousness of removals should be treated similarly to criminal proceedings, in terms of evidentiary standards and due process.
To rectify this, all red states must ensure that their laws include:
- Require a judicial warrant before removal, except in special circumstances.
- Questioning treatment or seeking a second opinion is not a reason to remove your child. Parents should have the final say when it comes to medical decisions.
- Only known cases of abuse or neglect will trigger investigation or removal.
- A parent’s medical, political, or religious beliefs or decisions are not grounds for removing a child.
- All state agencies should be prohibited from assisting or promoting transgender “medical care,” counseling, or the use of preferred pronouns.
- Imposing civil penalties on anyone, whether a public official or private citizen, who makes false allegations of abuse.
- Require reports of hotline abuse to include the whistleblower’s name and address.
Additionally, last year Texas passed HB730It requires child protection caseworkers to notify parents of their right to refuse searches, drug tests, and interviews with their children. This idea needs to spread.
The Montana Legislature is out of session until next year, leaving no recourse for CFS reform. Either way, Gianforte owes conservatives a special legislative session to address soaring property taxes. While he will prevent states from confiscating land through confiscatory taxes, lawmakers should convene Congress to ensure states cannot so easily confiscate children. If the government must intervene, let’s ensure that children do not suffer the ultimate physical abuse at the hands of the state.
