'Makes her happy': Son removed from care after mother forced him to identify as girl
A UK mother who dressed her son as a girl because it made her "happy" has lost custody of the child over concerns about his emotional wellbeing.
The seven-year-old boy has now been removed from his mother and placed in the care of his father, who has been separated from the mother for a number of years.
Mr Justice Hayden supressed location details of the case and barred the mother from speaking to journalists, according to The Mirror.
The order for the boy's removal followed a 2013 hearing at the Family Division of the High Court in London in which members of the public and staff from his school expressed concerns about the boy's metal welfare.
An anonymous tip alerted authorities of the boy who was forced to wear nail varnish and a pink headband because it "made (his mother) happy".
The tipster also expressed concerns about the mother's irrational behaviour and mental health, the paper reports.
Another anonymous call to child welfare reported the mother had "stated twice in a week that he is transgender".
Mr Justice Hayden was further shocked that despite the concerns of several people – including those of teachers and a doctor – being raised, no action was taken.
"What is perhaps most striking about the information that was being drawn to this local authority's attention is that it came from such a wide variety of sources," he said.
Concerned the boy was developing gender identity disorder, a GP made a request of local authorities in 2014 to send a social worker to the family home to investigate.
Mr Justice Hayden said local welfare authorities had "failed to take appropriate intervention" and "moved into wholesale acceptance that he should be regarded as a girl" despite no evidence to suggest the boy identified that way.
He concluded the cries for an investigation "went unheeded".
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
