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Supreme Court of the United States

Indiana parents asking U.S. Supreme Court to take case involving custody of trans teen

The U.S Supreme Court is seen, Nov. 3, 2023, in Washington. A religious couple from Anderson, Indiana is asking the Supreme Court to intervene in a case involving their child, a transgender teen who was removed from their home after the state Department of Child Services received allegations of verbal and emotional abuse stemming from the teen's transgender identity. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)
Kristine Phillips
USA TODAY NETWORK
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Mary and Jeremy Cox are devout Christians who believe children should be raised based on their sex at birth, and the use of pronouns or names inconsistent with their biological sex is both immoral and harmful.

But the Anderson couple clashed with their teenager, who is a transgender girl. The family's dispute that started with the Indiana Department of Child Services over care of the teen is now the focus of a case that could go before the U.S. Supreme Court.

At issue, according to the Coxes' petition asking the court to take their case, is whether they have the right to raise their children how they see fit — and whether a court order keeping them from talking to their children about their beliefs on sex and gender violates their free speech rights.