Non-Indian couple rushes to resolve custody in ICWA case

Friday, June 28, 2013  

A non-Indian couple that wants to adopt the Cherokee girl at the heart of Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, an Indian Child Welfare Act case that the U.S. Supreme Court decided this week, is seeking to speed up the process.

The Supreme Court issued its decision on June 25. Normally, the court takes 25 days to finalize the judgment but the couple filed a petition seeking an immediate resolution, SCOTUSblog reported.

Dusten Brown, the Cherokee Nation citizen whose parental rights are at stake, opposes the request. But he was open to a speedier timetable in his response to the petition, SCOTUSblog reported.

The South Carolina Supreme Court previously determined that ICWA required Brown to gain custody of his daughter. The Supreme Court reversed and said two sections of the law do not protect Brown's rights.

The dispute will return to South Carolina, where the non-Indian couple intends to press for the adoption.

Also Today:
The case of Baby Veronica (Al Jazeera 6/28)

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:
Jacqueline Keeler: Saving Baby Veronica from being Indian (6/28)
Editorial: Supreme Court got it right in Baby Veronica case (6/28)
Alex Pearl: Supreme Court sends message on Indian blood (6/27)
Turtle Talk: More thoughts on Supreme Court ICWA decision (6/27)
Native Sun News: Supreme Court goes against Indian father (6/27)
Kevin Abourezk: Nebraska reaction to decision in ICWA case (6/26)
Jennifer Gapetz: Baby Veronica is a Cherokee Nation citizen (6/26)
Lots of Links: Coverage of Indian Child Welfare Act decision (6/26)
Supreme Court rules against Cherokee father in ICWA dispute (6/25)
Cherokee Chief: Baby girl should remain with biological father (6/25)
NCAI remains hopeful after ruling in Supreme Court ICWA case (6/25)
Turtle Talk: Initial impressions of Supreme Court's ICWA ruling (6/25)
Opinion: We fought the Cherokee Nation to keep adopted child (6/25)