Michigan Judge Rules Boy, 4, Can’t Take Ceremonial Peyote

WHITE CLOUD, Mich. — Saying a child’s welfare outweighs a father’s religious freedom, a family court judge ruled Tuesday that a 4-year-old boy cannot take peyote at American Indian spiritual ceremonies.

In his 31-page decision, Judge Graydon W. Dimkoff described peyote as “dangerous” and prohibited the boy from ingesting the peyote as a minor until he is fully aware of the implications, is physically and emotionally ready and has permission from both parents.

The boy’s father, Jonathan Fowler, 36, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, had asked Dimkoff to reverse an earlier decision and allow his son to ingest sacramental peyote with him at the Native American Church of the Morning Star. Fowler contended that prohibiting the boy from ingesting peyote infringes on his religious freedom.

Kristin Hanslovsky, Fowler’s ex-wife, had fought the request, saying the hallucinogen could harm her son.

Hanslovsky, a Roman Catholic, said Tuesday she has no interest in stifling religious freedom and no problem with her son learning Indian traditions.

“The biggest issue is, I want my son to be able to choose,” she said.