First, is that the article doesn't indicate that he's anything but physically normal. They clearly call him a boy and don't make any mention of gender confusion at birth and that his parents made the wrong choice. I would expect them to do that to play the sympathy angle. And also this from the article, Transgender children, who are born as one sex and identify with the other,
It clearly calls him transgender, and defines it, not hermaphrodite.
Second, the article says this about him-The parents of an 8-year-old boy who wants to live and be treated as a girl... .
I says it's the boy's decision and it's what HE wants.
Last, any information about the parents is strangely missing. I would expect the media to really play it up if Dad was defending this decision.
As to the missing comments from the parents.... that's what makes me think there is something more to it than just what the kid "wants."
As usual, I think it is best not to form any firm opinion based on what this one news story says.