(Picture: Saving Chase)

This is four-year-old Chase.

The little boy, from West Palm Beach, Florida, is due to have his foreskin removed today against the wishes of both himself and his mother Heather Hironimus.

Circumcision Removal of the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis is usually done within 10 days of birth.

When Chase was a baby in 2011, his mother signed a legal agreement for the operation to take place, as per the wishes of his father Dennis Nebus.

But four years later the surgery has not happened and now Chase, a healthy school age child, has said he does not want to be circumcised.


Surgery will be risky and painful and a paediatric urologist called Dr Charles Flack said removing his foreskin is not medically necessary.



His supporters said:

Heather Hironimus realised over the years that removing Chase’s foreskin was unnecessary. She argues that the parenting plan circumcision agreement no longer applies to a now older, and more aware, boy. Pediatric urologist Dr. Charles Flack testified to the court that circumcision is not medically necessary after examining the boy. Genital autonomy advocates believe Chase’s physical and mental health are at risk. He is aware of his body and does not want to have surgery on his genitals. Amputating a healthy, functional body part is a violation of basic human rights and medical ethics.

The problem is, due to the legal document, a court ruled in November last year that the decision stands.

Especially since Chase’s father still wants him to undergo the operation.

In a last ditch effort, his mother and a group of activists launched a battle to save him on social media under the hashtag #savingchase. A website savingchase.org was also created with a fund for raising awareness of the issue.

Chase’s mother and father, who had a six month long relationship, are no longer together.

Most were appalled that doctors can circumcise the boy.

Help save a boy from his father's vanity to have his son circumcised. #savingchase — My Synaptic Spasm (@922114_) February 24, 2015

Some just wanted to stop the operation from happening.

Other want to raise awareness so this never happens again.

#savingchase please make your profile pic to stand up for his rights! pic.twitter.com/644vBPgTGq — BFickling#GG8860 (@bfickling11) February 24, 2015

The final decision will be made later today.

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