Baby Girl Update 3

Updates in the Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl Ongoing Adoption Case

Here is the latest update in the Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl legal battle. On July 30, 2013 the Native American Rights Fund filed suit in the Federal District Court of South Carolina to protect the civil rights of Baby Girl Veronica who is alleged to be denied her rights to due process in the South Carolina courts. The filing comes after the South Carolina Supreme Court issued two controversial orders to the Family Law Court calling for the removal of Veronica from her father and transferring her to the adoptive couple without a hearing on what is in her best interest. The complaint is supported by a national statement of support of Veronica’s civil rights, signed by child welfare workers, adoption advocates, legal authorities, tribal governments and Native American advocacy groups. California Indian Legal Services, California tribes, California Indian law firms, and the California Association of Tribal Governments all signed the statement of support.

Yesterday, August 1, 2013 the Family Law Court issued an order granting the adoption petition of the adoptive couple and approving a transition plan. The Family Law Court’s orders are under seal and not available to the public. The hearing appears to be premature in light of the fact that the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to issue an order today, August 2nd, on whether to grant the Cherokee Nation’s and Dusten Brown’s request for a stay of the Family Law Court hearing on the final adoption until a “best interest of the child” hearing can be held. The adoptive couple filed their opposition to the Supreme Court stay on July 30, 2013.

California Indian Legal Services will continue to keep you updated on the development in the Baby Girl case.