Law | National

Judge orders immediate move of Baby Veronica to non-Indians

Thursday, August 8, 2013

A family court judge has ordered the immediate transfer of Veronica Brown, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, to a non-Indian couple in South Carolina.

The case is sealed but WCBD-TV posted a copy of the August 5 enforcement order from Judge Daniel Martin. He called on state and federal authorities to ensure that Veronica is transferred to the couple for a final adoption.

"As of the entry of this order, Baby Girl Veronica is being unlawfully withheld from her lawful parents," the judge's decision stated.

Veronica has been living in Oklahoma with her father, Dusten Brown, also a Cherokee citizen, and her stepmother. Brown is currently serving in the Oklahoma National Guard and is due to return home August 21, the Associated Press reported.

Brown, Veronica's stepmother and Brown's parents in Oklahoma have filed to adopt Veronica. They have cited the Indian Child Welfare Act.

"We're the only family she knows," Alice Brown, Veronica's grandmother, told The Tulsa World. "She loves her mommy and daddy so much. Why can't other people just leave her alone?"

Get the Story:
Baby Veronica's adoptive parents speak about latest order for transfer (WCBD-TV 8/7)
SC judge orders Cherokee girl at center of adoption dispute transferred from Oklahoma (AP 8/7)
Baby Veronica's family pins hopes on tribal, state courts (The Tulsa World 8/7)
Capobiancos react to shared custody offer as solicitor moves to bring Veronica 'home' (The Charleston Post and Courier 8/8)
Browns offer shared custody as 'Baby Veronica' custody battle continues (The Tulsa World 8/8)