Summary
A New Jersey father is suing a school district and state officials for violating his parental rights by secretly treating his daughter as a boy without his permission, then refusing to comply with his wishes that they refer to her as a girl when he discovered that school officials were “socially transitioning” his daughter as required by district policy and state law.
Case Timeline
- January 2024: Chris Heaps sued the Delaware Valley Regional High School Board of Education for treating his daughter as a boy without his consent or knowledge and continuing to do so against his express instructions.
- November 2024: The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey denied Chris’ request for a preliminary injunction that would have required school staff to stop socially transitioning his daughter without his consent.
- December 2024: Murray-Nolan Berutti LLC attorneys appealed the district court’s decision.
- June 2025: ADF attorneys, along with Murray-Nolan Berutti LLC attorneys, filed an opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit.
- January 2026: The parties jointly dismissed the 3rd Circuit appeal. The case is now proceeding in the district court.
