In a recent development, Montana's Governor Greg Gianforte has defended the state's decision to remove a 14-year-old girl from her father and stepmother's custody.
The move was made after the parents objected to a series of actions taken to facilitate a sex change for their child, a move they argue undermines their parental authority.
Governor Gianforte described the case as "tragic," but stated that after a thorough review by Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras, it was determined that the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the court "followed state policy and law."
"Children deserve to grow up in happy, healthy homes with loving families to give them their best shot at reaching their full potential. Sadly, this ideal is not always realized," Gianforte wrote in a thread on X. "Our society finds children whose life, health, and wellbeing are at serious risk from abuse and neglect, and only as a last resort, should they be removed from their home."
The Governor further explained that after hearing about the case of Krista and Todd Kolstad and their daughter, he asked Lieutenant Governor Juras to review it. "Consulting with the director of DPHHS and personally examining case documents," Gianforte continued, "Lieutenant Governor Juras has concluded that DPHHS and the court have followed state policy and law in their handling of this tragic case."
Juras has been asked to "continue monitoring the case as it progresses."
Gianforte also highlighted Montana's laws that "ban permanent, invasive, life-altering medical procedures on children, like puberty blockers, hormonal treatments, and sex-reassignment surgeries." These laws were circumvented in the Kolstad's case by taking their daughter, against their wishes, to Wyoming, where such procedures are legal without parental consent.
The Governor's response to the case has been met with criticism, with many questioning why officials were so determined to take the teen out of state. Critics also pointed out that he had vetoed House Bill 37, which would have required a warrant to remove a child from a home unless they were in imminent danger.
Krista and Todd Kolstad have been held in contempt of court for speaking out against the state's handling of the situation but have vowed to continue the fight. A GiveSendGo campaign was launched to assist them.
The campaign reads, "I am setting up this GiveSendGo campaign for my brother and sister-in-law, who have fallen victim to the forced trans ideology, government and medical tyranny that resulted in the medical kidnapping of their 14-year-old child in Montana, facilitated by Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, MT, along with Montana CPS."
The campaign further states, "They have been threatened, intimidated, mocked, had their characters attacked, and custody is being stripped from them because they did not consent to transitioning a 14-year-old child in mental crisis. They need our help to meet the mounting expenses and legal fees as they fight to get their daughter back in a system that has become corrupt and weaponized against families. Will you please help us and stand with them? If this can happen in Montana of all places, none of us are safe, and neither are our children. Help us bring Holly home."
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