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Court: Key ruling in U.P. false memories case will stand

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HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) — After hearing arguments, the Michigan Supreme Court won’t touch a key decision in an unusual case involving a counselor and a teen’s false memories of sexual abuse.

The parents of an Upper Peninsula teen are accusing Kathryn Salmi of malpractice in Houghton County. They say their daughter falsely accused the father of sexual abuse because of Salmi’s counseling techniques. No charges were filed against the dad.

This issue is whether mental health professionals have a duty of care to third parties who could be harmed by certain techniques. The Michigan appeals court said Salmi can be sued by the parents.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in April. In an order dated Friday, the justices say they’re dropping the case.

Salmi denies malpractice and says she doesn’t practice repressed memory therapy.