In re Green
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
292 A.2d 387 (1972)
Relevant factsFree
Sixteen-year-old Ricky Green had paralytic scoliosis that would worsen without corrective surgery, but his mother, a Jehovah's Witness, would not consent to a necessary blood transfusion on religious grounds. The state (plaintiff) petitioned alleging neglect and asked the court to appoint a guardian who would consent to the surgery unconditionally; the trial court dismissed the petition, but the superior court reversed, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted review.
IssueFree
Whether courts must consider the preferences of an intelligent child of sufficient maturity regarding a decision directly affecting the child's health, regardless of the parent's religious beliefs.