Maine Supreme Court Bars Mother from Taking Daughter to Church, Upholds Father’s Custody Claim

The Maine Supreme Court upheld a lower-court injunction that stops mother Emily Bickford from taking her daughter to church, giving sole discretion to father Matthew Bradeen regarding the child’s religious participation. Bickford, who shares joint custody, contends the order infringes on her First Amendment rights and could open the door to governmental intrusion into worship. Her legal team at Liberty Counsel is drafting a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court, hoping the nation’s top court will review the matter.

Commentators such as Pat Gray have highlighted the case as a pivotal religious-liberty showdown. The ruling may influence future custody battles that involve parental religious decisions across the country.