The remains of Jim Thorpe won't be returned to Oklahoma any time soon despite a federal judge's decision favoring the legendary athlete's sons.

Judge A. Richard Caputo ordered the borough of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, to return the remains to Thorpe's sons. But official claim that will cost too much so they voted to take the case to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Thorpe's sons filed their suit under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which allows lineal descendants to claim the remains of their ancestors. They want their father reburied in Oklahoma as originally planned when he died in 1953.

The Sac and Fox Nation supports reburial.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Thorpe v. Borough of Thorpe.

Get the Story:
Council will challenge legal decision that could affect Jim Thorpe remains (WFMZ-TV 5/10)
Pennsylvania town where Jim Thorpe is buried vows to fight ruling (The Tulsa World 5/11)

Related Stories:
Editorial: A final resting place for the legendary Jim Thorpe (4/30)
NPR: A truly heartbreaking story of Jim Thorpe and his burial (03/26)