Texas judge halts child abuse investigations of parents with transgender children

A Texas judge issued a temporary freeze Friday of Gov. Greg Abbott's order for state officials to conduct child abuse investigations into parents who have provided their transgender child or children with gender-affirming care.

Travis County District Judge Amy Clark Meachum, who ordered the injunction after spending the day listening to oral arguments, called Abbott's directive "unconstitutional" and an overreach of his power as governor. The injunction is part of a legal fight against the Feb. 22 order. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he will appeal the court's decision.

"Democrat judge tries to halt legal and necessary investigations into those trying to abuse our kids through 'trans' surgeries and prescription drugs. I’m appealing. I’ll win this fight to protect our Texas children," Paxton, a Republican, said in a tweet Friday evening.

Randa Mulanax, a supervisor for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, testified Friday that investigators were pressed to investigate cases even if there was no evidence of child abuse. The disparity between how these cases are handled compared to others is what made Mulanax decide to resign, according to the Texas Tribune, which noted nine such investigations.

"I’ve always felt that at the end of the day, the department had children’s best interest at heart," Mulanax said. "I no longer feel that way."

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The directive by Abbott, also a Republican, ordered the state to investigate parents who provide their transgender children so-called sex change procedures, which he said constitutes child abuse under existing Texas law.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal filed suit against the directive on behalf of a mother, whose child is transgender, who claimed she was investigated by the DFPS.

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“The court’s decisive ruling today brings some needed relief to trans youth in Texas but we cannot stop fighting,” Brian Klosterboer, an attorney for ACLU's Texas branch, said in a press release. “Today’s witnesses — including a parent targeted by these attacks, experts on medical care, and a supervisor within Texas Child Protective Services — gave courageous and emotional testimony about the fear and harm caused by these unlawful actions. All trans young people deserve to live freely as their true selves.”

Both the American Psychological Association and American Medical Association have condemned Abbott's order, saying it could have a significant effect on the mental health of transgender youths. The American Academy of Pediatrics also condemned the order because it could interfere with the relationship between a patient and his or her doctor.