People of the State of Colorado, in the Interest of D.L.E., a Child and Concerning J.E.

Acting in its capacity as a juvenile court, the district court adjudicated D.L.E., who was twelve years old, a “dependent child” under section 19-1-103(20)(d)-(e), C.R.S. 1973 (now in 1978 Repl. Vol. 8). The court held a dispositional hearing the same day, and awarded the Mesa County Department of Social Services legal custody of D.L.E. with directions to arrange for medical treatment. D.L.E. appeals and we reverse.

As a result of brain damage occurring at the time of his birth, D.L.E. has experienced a series of grand mal epileptic seizures. On religious grounds tied to her membership in the…