Veronica's Story: Two Families Clash Over Adoption
Two-year-old Veronica's biological father is an Iraqi war veteran living in Oklahoma. But the only Dad and Mom she ever knew for the first two years of her life live hundreds of miles away on James Island. Sadly, Veronica's case is one of the 5% of adoptions where parents change their minds and withdraw their consent, causing upheaval in an already difficult and emotional event. Her adoption process started at birth, but four months after it started, Veronica's biological father changed his mind and said he wanted to raise her himself. (Veronica's biological mother still supported the adoption). For the next 16 months, Veronica's fate was in the hands of the court. Melanie and Matt Capobianco, who were trying to adopt Veronica, say the birth-father used a little known law called the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to win the case. Others familiar with the case aren't so sure this federal statute played a major role in the court's decision. And until the court's ruling is unsealed, no one may ever know for sure except the parents and lawyers involved. ICWA gives preferential treatment to Native Americans when children with Indian blood, such as Veronica, are up for adoption. Veronica is now back in Oklahoma with her father. But the Capobiancos have a legion of supporters in Charleston and around the country who want to see Veronica returned to them. A petition calling for changes in ICWA received 20,000 signatures and was sent to lawmakers. The Savage Report explored all angles of this emotionally charged case in this week's program-- and wound up with a single conclusion: we hope and pray that Veronica lives a long, healthy and happy life and that eventually, all these people who love her might be able to come together and share in her future.
Enjoyed the show. It was great that someone in the media made the point that the adoption was not finalized and that the facts of the case are unknown. The lawyers at the end were very good in making that clear.
If there is a follow up show, Mr. Savage should ask about the legal issues behind the transfer and transition period. Most family courts will not order a 2 year old to be handed to a stranger in a 1/2 hour. It seems more likely that the courts ordered a transition period and/or guidelines for a transition. What happens in many contested adoptions is that the transition period is used to file appeals and petitions for stays, instead of introducing the child gradually to the custodial parent. The time for the scheduled transfer can pass while those motions are heard. When the appeals and stays are denied the family court forces the transfer because the transfer time was passed or the transition guidelines were not followed during the time the court ordered for the transition.
When did a drop of blood become more important than an innocent child's welfare?Mr. Brown didn't show "fatherly" interest until the ICWA kicked in.If he really cared about her future and emotional well being he would return her to the parents that supported her before she was born.This an egregious irresponsible act perpetrated by a bunch of bureaucrats trying to validate their existence.If Brown has any real compassion,he will do the right thing without all this torment to all involved.
Enjoyed the show. It was great that someone in the media made the point that the adoption was not finalized and that the facts of the case are unknown. The lawyers at the end were very good in making that clear.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a follow up show, Mr. Savage should ask about the legal issues behind the transfer and transition period. Most family courts will not order a 2 year old to be handed to a stranger in a 1/2 hour. It seems more likely that the courts ordered a transition period and/or guidelines for a transition. What happens in many contested adoptions is that the transition period is used to file appeals and petitions for stays, instead of introducing the child gradually to the custodial parent. The time for the scheduled transfer can pass while those motions are heard. When the appeals and stays are denied the family court forces the transfer because the transfer time was passed or the transition guidelines were not followed during the time the court ordered for the transition.
When did a drop of blood become more important than an innocent child's welfare?Mr. Brown didn't show "fatherly" interest until the ICWA kicked in.If he really cared about her future and emotional well being he would return her to the parents that supported her before she was born.This an egregious irresponsible act perpetrated by a bunch of bureaucrats trying to validate their existence.If Brown has any real compassion,he will do the right thing without all this torment to all involved.
ReplyDelete