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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2002

The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday said two Alaska Native children can continue living with their paternal Jewish grandmother.

Erika Mahaney has been raising the children as Jewish and sent them to Hebrew school. She has won a temporary non-parental custody order.

The court said guidelines in the Indian Child Welfare Act do not override state mandates in custody cases. Two justices dissented.

The mother, Rebecca Johnston, is a member of the Tlingit-Haida Tribe.

Get the Story:
Jewish relative keeps custody of Indian kids (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 7/26)

In the Interest Of: Natasha Mahaney, et al. v. Erika Mahaney, Petr., and Mark S. Mahaney:
Opinion | Dissent