The Oklahoma Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in the custody and adoption dispute involving a Cherokee Nation girl.

The proceeding wasn't open to the public. But the online docket indicates that a lower court ordered Dusten Brown to hand over his daughter to a non-Indian couple from South Carolina.

That didn't happen because the Oklahoma Supreme Court granted a stay last Friday after Brown and the Cherokee Nation filed an appeal. The tribe's court also has asserted jurisdiction.

Brown's daughter is currently living on tribal trust land in Oklahoma.

Get the Story:
State Supreme Court blocks lower court order to return Baby Veronica (The Tulsa World 9/4)
Oklahoma Supreme Court takes up custody battle over Cherokee girl once awarded to SC couple (AP 9/3)
Oklahoma Supreme Court issues stay in Baby Veronica custody case (AP 9/3)

Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation father files appeal in Oklahoma's highest court (9/3)
Court hearing in custody dispute over Cherokee Nation girl (8/30)
South Carolina officers in Oklahoma for Indian custody case (8/29)