Hudson v. Hudson

This case of first impression involves the equity powers of the Circuit Court to order sterilization of a mentally deficient minor, absent legislative authority.

The appellants filed a complaint in the Circuit Court, alleging in pertinent part that:

1. Plaintiffs are the parents of Defendant who is a minor female child sixteen years of age.

2. Said child is mentally incompetent because of mental illness or mental retardation, and has an estimated intelligence level of that of a four year old child.

3. That said child is very mature physically, has begun talking about her "boy friend". . . . She…