Now that Veronica has fully adjusted to living with her biological father, Dusten Brown, many believe it is unlikely the custody arrangement would change. Courtesy/Cherokee Nation

The South Carolina Supreme Court issued an order today approving the adoption of a Cherokee Nation girl by a non-Indian couple.

The court took action without holding a hearing. The order stated that the U.S. Supreme Court called for an "expeditious resolution" of the high-profile case.

The order terminates the parental rights of Dusten Brown, the biological father. He has been caring for his daughter for the last 18 months in Oklahoma.

"We are outraged and saddened that the South Carolina Supreme Court would order the transfer of this child without a hearing to determine what is in her best interests, particularly in light of the fact that this very same court previously found 'we cannot say that Baby Girl's best interests are not served by the grant of custody to Father, as Appellants have not presented evidence that Baby Girl would not be safe, loved, and cared for if raised by Father and his family," the Cherokee Nation said in a statement this afternoon.

"Dusten Brown is a fit, loving parent and Veronica is, as the court previously defined, 'safe, loved, and cared for.' That should be enough," the tribe said.

Get the Story:
Baby Veronica coming back to Charleston, family says (The Charleston Post and Courier 7/17)
SC Supreme Court rules Baby Veronica will return to adoptive parents (WIS-TV 7/17)
Baby Veronica to Return to South Carolina (KTUL-TV 7/17)
South Carolina court rules Baby Veronica can be adopted by South Carolina couple (AP 7/17)

Supreme Court Decision:
Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl (June 25, 2013)

Oral Argument Transcript:
Adoptive Couple v. Cherokee Nation (April 16, 2013)

South Carolina Supreme Court Decision:
Adoptive Couple v. Cherokee Nation (July 26, 2012)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Baby Veronica case could reach Supreme Court again (7/12)
Cherokee Nation family looks to adopt girl at center of dispute (7/9)
Interview with Matthew Fletcher on being cited in ICWA ruling (7/9)
Ben Shelly: Indian Child Welfare Act helps protect tribal culture (7/8)
Cherokee Nation father speaks out after Supreme Court ruling (7/3)
Aura Bogado: Supreme Court brings up blood in ICWA ruling (7/2)
Bill John Baker: Cherokee children are our most valuable asset (7/1)
Supreme Court issues order to finalize decision in ICWA case (7/1)
Non-Indian couple rushes to resolve custody in ICWA case (6/28)