The Oregon Supreme Court on Friday blocked a divorced former Southern Oregon man from circumcising his 12-year-old son against the wishes of the boy’s mother.
The court ruled that the trial judge failed to determine whether the boy wanted to have the procedure. The child’s mother, Lia Boldt, claims that circumcision is dangerous and that her son is afraid to say he doesn’t want the procedure. Go here for the court’s decision.
The court ordered the case back to the trial judge to determine the boy’s wishes.
James Boldt, who converted to Judaism several years ago, wants to circumcise his son. As the custodial parent, he argued that he has wide latitude to make decisions for the boy.
The lower courts sided with the father.
The case attracted national attention. An anti-circumcision group based in Seattle said the practice was dangerous. Jewish groups joined the fray out of the concern that the Oregon court would restrict circumcision.