Published on Jul 18, 2013
Washington, DC - The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has released the following statement regarding yesterday’s South Carolina Supreme Court order calling on the South Carolina Family Court to order a transfer of custody of Baby Girl – Veronica - to the Adoptive Couple involved:
“We are witnessing the final steps in a forced removal of a Native child from her father, her family, and her Native community.
NCAI is astounded and alarmed that the South Carolina Supreme Court has issued an order to transfer Veronica, the daughter of Dusten Brown, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, to the adoptive couple and doing so without holding a hearing to determine the best interests of the child. There is no scenario in which the best interests of this three year old child will be served by removing her from her loving father and family raising her in Oklahoma. Mr. Brown pursued his right to care for his biological daughter since the moment he learned of the adoption. A removal of the child will be extremely traumatic for her and is clearly not in her best interest."
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I am devastated by the recent court ruling and hope Dusten still has a chance to keep his daughter. This case is beyond tragic. And for people who celebrate the outcome--they should take note that their own unwed sons and grandsons could someday suffer the loss of a child through adoption. This case impacts birth father rights in general too, and when birthfathers lose children, so do the rest of the natural family. What a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love this statement, I do wish everyone would be very careful to refer to the Copabiancos as Veronica's potential or prospective adoptive parents. Those who are not familiar with adoption will assume that she had been adopted and that Mr. Brown practically stole her back. And that is far from the case. I don't mean to nitpick but I think this is an important distinction.
ReplyDeleteIndeed - and the Supreme Court made the mistake too!
DeleteThank you Robin and Jennifer for your comments - they are greatly appreciated!
ReplyDelete