Adopting a Child in America: What “Baby Veronica” Teaches Us About the Adoption Process

Claudia Corrigan D'Arcy on October 4, 2013 

Previously: Veronica Brown and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Though she is now a walking, talking preschooler, the headline read, “Baby Veronica Handed Over to Adoptive Parents.”

On the night of Monday September 23, 2013, Veronica Brown was removed from the care of her biological father and transferred to the custody of the couple who wanted her. The case that started in South Carolina Family Court as “Adoptive Couple vs. Baby Girl,” went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States and back to Oklahoma, seems to be fading from the media spotlight for now. Left behind in its wake are supporters and protesters on both sides, and perhaps an insight into some of the costs of the adoption process in America.

Adoption is supposed to be about providing a home for a child that needs one. All children have the right to be cared for someone who loves and wants them.  It’s generally understood that there are times when being cared for by his or her genetic parents is not in a child’s best interests; in some of these cases, an adoptive family can be a wonderful source of permanency and support. However, it was quite clear that Veronica did have a home where she was loved and cared for by her father. It was obvious by his actions as he fought for the right to care for her. Veronica did not need an adoptive home. So what went wrong? How did this story of two families fighting over one little girl even happen?

Read here: http://the-toast.net/2013/10/04/adopting-baby-veronica/

And a discussion here:  http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/10/04/why-adoption-needs-to-play-a-bigger-role-in-the-reproductive-justice-conversation/


My friend and co-author Patricia Busbee and I are now planning a new book DEAR VERONICA with your letters and thoughts about her and this case. If you are interested, please send an email to: tracedemeyer@yahoo.com. ...Trace