Law | National

Oklahoma governor doesn't want Cherokee father extradited

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said she doesn't want Cherokee Nation citizen Dusten Brown extradited to South Carolina now that his daughter is in the custody of a non-Indian couple there.

Fallin signed the extradition order earlier this month for Brown to face charges of custodial interference in South Carolina. If he is convicted, his military career could end, The Tulsa World reported.

"Governor Fallin's hope is that Dusten Brown will not have to go to South Carolina," a spokesperson told the paper.

A non-Indian couple took custody of Brown's daughter on Monday after the Oklahoma Supreme Court said it wouldn't entertain further proceedings. Brown hasn't said what he will do next the Cherokee Nation is weighing its options.

Brown's daughter turned 4 last week. She was born in Oklahoma but was taken to South Carolina, where she lived for almost 21 months before Brown gained custody after winning a ruling from that state's highest court.

On June 25, U.S. Supreme Court, said the Indian Child Welfare Act did not apply in Brown's case. The non-Indian couple moved quickly to finalize their adoption of his daughter after the decision.

Get the Story:
Gov. Fallin seeks halt to Baby Veronica's father's extradition to South Carolina (The Tulsa World 9/25)
After 4 years and 2 states, Cherokee girl in disputed adoption case gets permanent home in SC (AP 9/25)
Capobiancos ‘overjoyed’ to have Veronica back in their lives, birth father’s role uncertain (The Charleston Post and Courier 9/25)

Oklahoma Supreme Court Decision:
Brown v. DeLapp (September 23, 2013)

U.S. Supreme Court Decision:
Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl (June 25, 2013)