A dad is suing the Boy Scouts of America after his son, who has Down's syndrome, was banned from being an Eagle Scout and had all his badges removed.
Fifteen-year-old Logan Blythe has been a Boy Scout for three years with his local chapter in Utah. During his time there, Logan has sailed through the Scouts' ranking system and racked up a whopping 20 badges on his sash.
As he was doing so well, Logan put in an application to become an Eagle Scout in November last year, which was approved by the Utah National Parks Council.
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Logan's dad Chad Blythe, told FOX 13: "When we actually got the approval, he was so elated and the three people that approved it actually took pictures of it because he was so happy and overjoyed."
However, just a day later, it was taken away after the national office looked in to how Logan had earned the badges.
Due to Logan's disability, he is unable to earn some of the badges that are required to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. His dad told the news outlet that Logan would not be able to obtain the Swimming Badge, for example.
He said: "I need to be able to ask, 'Logan, dive to the bottom of the pool buddy, can you grab that?' He won't do it. Why? Because his mental state is the equivalent of a four-year-old."
He told Yahoo that in certain circumstances the local chapter has awarded him the badges anyway, for his effort.
However, he says the Boy Scouts of America is now refusing to honour the badges he's earned locally.
He told FOX 13 that since learning the news, Logan won't go to a Scouts meeting, despite the fact he once 'loved' taking part.
"He won't put on his scout uniform now. He doesn't want to go near it," he said.
The family is now seeking damages of 'at least one dollar'. Chad says money isn't the issue, he just wants his son to feel included and that he has the same opportunities open to him that everyone else has.
In a statement to FOX 13, the Boy Scouts of America said: "We continue to work closely with our Disabilities Awareness Committee, which is tasked with making sure Scouts with disabilities can actively participate in Scouting activities.
"We worked with the committee and the Blythe family to offer Logan a path to earning alternative merit badges based on his abilities, as well as the option to work toward his Eagle rank past the age of 18 by completing the 'Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility'.
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"This specific request is focused on supporting Scouts with permanent and severe disabilities so as to allow them to continue working toward an Eagle rank indefinitely."
Topics: News, US News, Down's Syndrome, Disability