Boy Scout with Down syndrome wasn't stripped of merit badges, path to Eagle Scout rank, group says

Ashley May | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Boy Scout with Down syndrome not stripped of merit badges Boy Scouts of America released a statement saying there are misconceptions about a Utah boy with Down syndrome who was on the path to Eagle Scout rank. Veuer's Chandra Lanier has the story.

After a father filed a lawsuit against them, the Boy Scouts of America released a statement saying there are misconceptions about a Utah boy's path to an Eagle Scout rank.

The group said Logan Blythe is still a Boy Scout and still has the option to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, even with modifications. The Boy Scouts said the National Disabilities Advancement Team wants to work with Logan's family to review what he already accomplished and figure out a path forward.

The Boy Scouts also said Logan's merit badges were not revoked, which contradicts an earlier email sent to the family and a statement from Salt Lake City-based Edward McBride, the lawyer representing Logan's father, Chad Blythe.

"If they are now going to change their policies, that's terrific. But no one has contacted me about this," McBride said.

Logan Blythe, a 15-year-old Utah boy with Down syndrome, had been participating in Boy Scouts for several years, when his Eagle Project was suddenly suspended, according to McBride.

Last November, the Blythe family received an email from the district advancement committee telling Logan to stop working on his project, because previously agreed to modifications would not be accepted and the boy's badges were also taken away, McBride said.

"This is the very definition of discrimination," Chad Blythe said in a video statement posted to YouTube.

He filed a suit March 13 asking for $1 and for Logan to be reinstated in the Boy Scouts.

More: First baby with Down syndrome wins Gerber baby of the year

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