Adopted 4-Year Old Returned to Father

[@jonquist4136]

I just searched for updates & found out that there's more to this than they said on this show. The father had been trying to get her back since she was 4 months old. The adoptive family wouldn't agree to any compromise in custody or visitation. He actually got her back when she was 2 years old & had her for almost 2 years, then the adoptive parents appealed & got her back. The adoptive parents refused to do the recommended transition, which would have slowly reintroduced her to them so she wouldnt be traumatized. They instead took her back immediately. Only allowing for 2 days of transition before moving her back intotheir home. She screamed & cried saying she didnt want to go but they took her anyway. They're supposed to allow him visits but they filed some sort of criminal charges against him like kidnapoung for being late bring her back to them. So now if he wants to visit her he has to enter their state & be arrested. Basically they've made it imposdible for him to visit her & shes grown very attatched to him. But they don't care. The most recent update I can find saysthat now the adoptive parents are suing the bio father for $500,000, for the court costs & attorney fees & expenses related to the adoption. Stealing his child wasn't enough, now they want him bankrupt & in jail. They're horrible people & I'm glad their names are in articles about this fiasco all over the internet, so the girl can at least learn the truth someday. Because you know they won't tell her the whole truth. When I first saw this video I was on the adoptive parents side. But learning that he had been trying to get her back from the beginning changes everything. I feel so bad for the bio father & the child.

[@NadinaStryhn]

+Jon Quist People should really read this. There is always much more to the story.

[@maryraymond9156]

People scream, "Choose adoption!" But stories like this are exactly what I'm talking about when I say "What if the birth father doesn't sign the papers?!"

[@thisisrtsthree9992]

+Mary Raymond BOOM!

[@salenebrom6476]

Mary Raymond that’s just it He did He wanted nothing to do with the kid and gave up his rights and changed his mind later on

[@soccerguy325]

Lol but he did sign the papers. That's exactly what he did.

[@jasminemason1174]

This was a special case. The family was racist. Most people would happily hand the baby over to the parent who wants them.

[@jasminemason1174]

@@salenebrom6476 what? That never happened in the case lol he would check on her constantly, met her parents and they told him that "she cant date a n****r" and the parents forced the adoption.... the two were relatively happy as a couple but she was to weak willed to stand up for her spouse. He wa forced out of her life by her and her parents. He literally won the case because of the evidence showing he INTENDED on raising the baby.... it's the whole reason he won. Lots of racists in the comments. Let's take your child away and see how you feel

[@BloodWolf2k7]

how was the child given up for adoption without the fathers signature???

[@Efaustorobles]

Right

[@thatinternetteen5616]

Well that mom could of easily said "he doesn't have custody" or "he isn't alive anymore" etc

[@wynwilliams6977]

+Weulf exactly my thought WTF he pretty much had his kid stolen from him

[@jawja100]

+Wyn “Flying Turtle” Williams And, the Supreme Court has stolen Veronica from the Dad again, and, given her to this couple. The birth mother was a trainwreck, and, the dad was sent to Iraq. When he returned, he began fighting for his child. The adoptive parents, with the help and financing from a christian adoption agency that finds Indian children for childless couples, took this case to the Supreme Court. After years of living with her dad, she was removed from her home.This is an older couple with other children. It is a travesty.

[@jawja100]

I agree , it seems impossible, basically, this baby was bought by the couple, bought her a car, etc. Left the state before the adoption was final, to make it hard on the Dad. My heart breaks for the child and the Dad.

[@shannonfbc1]

i feel sorry for the 4 year old

[@He805]

shannonfbc1 I totally agree with you. I mean that if she was doing ok with her adoptive parents she should stay where she was used be.

[@crescendo3155]

Me too.

[@Efaustorobles]

Me too

[@djaynewman]

+LaChatz Robleez Agreed!

[@BloodWolf2k7]

the kid is 4, and if not reminded of this they probably wont even remember when they get older.

[@breeford1610]

You know that selfish biological mother has caused so much pain. Pain to the biological father, her child, and the poor adoptive parents who had that child for four years. What a horrible women to not even console the father on this. The right decision was made by the court and the act. I do pray he keeps the adoptive parents involved in this child's life as they are victims as well.

[@VantaKat]

The adoptive parents got the child back, tried suing the father for 500k and made him out to be a criminal in their state, so he can't see his child at all. Honestly, I feel horrible for the father. It ended in the worst case scenario.

[@breeford1610]

The CNN article update I read stated that the adoptive parents had pro bono lawyers, however those lawyers are allowed to sue for their fee backs( they lost). The father lost his child because the state she was adopted in does not require a fathers permission for adoption, which is sickening. However, the adoptive parents have now since found a comprise for the biological father to be in the child's life but would give no details. Hopefully this little girl can just be loved by all the parents who want her. :)

[@euniceswan3668]

not right what ever. any one who has brought a baby up so long is the parent , whatever the court says. my heart goes out to the parent who has their gut cut out by any one telling them it for not matter what they may feel. it's what the birth parent feels that matter you only look after the child what you feel doesn't matter a tat.

[@breeford1610]

Eunice Swan I am speaking of the birth mother who gave the child up without informing the father first, That was very selfish of her and look at all the pain that has come of it. I do not feel the biological father or adoptive parents are selfish they are victims just as much as the child.

[@breeford1610]

So they make a slow transistion. However, the father lost.

[@rainyseason1975]

Full custody just means who the kid lives with most of the time. The other parent can still have visitation. They’re not stripped of parental rights. It doesn’t give the soul custodian free range to give the kid away.

[@jezebelbong9969]

Some corrections in this report: 1) Veronica was NOT adopted when she was a baby. The Capobiancos WANTED to adopt her since before her birth and right after, but as soon as Veronica's father learned of impending adoption, he contested to raise her himself. After he returned from fighting in Iraq, he continued proceedings to gain custody. When she was 2 yrs old, he won custody and brought her home. She was still never adopted. 2) Capobiancos hired PR firm, went to talk shows, held fundraisers, filed custody/lawsuits, spread misinformation to win public sympathy to try to get Veronica back (still never adopted). 3) At the time of this program, Veronica was still never adopted. SCOTUS took case, misrepresented ICWA, and gave jurisdiction to the state Veronica was no longer living in. S.Carolina hastily finalized adoption, in non-compliance with their own adoption laws, and bombarded Veronica's father as he tried to appeal recent adoption in 2013. 4) Soon after V's father handed V over to Capobiancos, the Caps filed a $1 Million lawsuit against 4 yr old Veronica (yes, the preschooler they insisted on adopting), her father, and her tribe. Children deserve to be raised within their own family, their own genetic mirrors, UNLESS it would be unsafe for them to stay. Veronica was safe, happy, and thriving within her own family and heritage. There is no doubt that she should have been allowed to stay with her father, half-sister, cousins, step-mommy, grandparents, and tribe. All of those people are a part of her and are valuable resources for HER. The Caps were selfish and mean to force her away from all of those people in her life.

[@maggiebridget126]

If JOB were here today, he would have given Veronica to her father. Dusten Brown publicly stated that he would no longer fight for custody because he didn't want her to be hurt more than she already was. The Capobiancos are disgusting pieces of human waste. I cannot believe how this nation treats its military members and veterans. May GOD have mercy on the selfish Capobianco's souls. www.tulsaworld.com/news/baby-veronica-case-dusten-brown-to-stop-custody-fight-for/article_2d903520-319a-11e3-abf1-0019bb30f31a.html#user-comment-area

[@KairiBrie]

Jean Kirstein What in the fuck is wrong what should she hate the people who took care of her, they loved her they raised that's why they fought for her. just because you gave birth to that child or whatever does not make you a parent.

[@karencruz3515]

+Kara Nichols its unfortunate when a mother doesnt want her child but before giving the baby up for adoption she should have told the babys dad so he could have a choice. God!!! I hate selfish piece of crap women that do that kind of shit.

[@maggiebridget126]

Karen Cruz Exactly!!! This child's mother tricked her child's father. That "mother" is a piece of cow dung. However, the adoptive parents used their wealth to legally kidnap this little girl. Her adoption sets a precedent in every state in this union. That precedent makes every child born in this country unsafe.

[@Yaarrr]

Praising the mother for giving her child away, scorning the father who is fighting to get her back. You're a real piece of work.

[@lynnmahan154]

Ok. Thank you!!!!!!!! Can u imagine the dad's pain!?!?!

[@marisabasso7333]

my father was a marine and my mother gave me up....he never knew...ill always wonder about him. dead alive? i know he wanted me and they were supposed to get married.

[@TheAustralianHealthShow]

Of course he wanted you. He was lied to and scammed. Get your mums name and go to the press and they can locate your real father. Ask your mum his name as well as she knows it and if she doesnt her friends or relatives know his name.

[@briannagordy2943]

These two would not have lost a child they loved as their own, and that father would never have had to take his child back if that low life mother considered everyone involved.

[@jenniferforeman4063]

I would have started custody with the adoptive parents. you have to put the child first!!!!

[@jawja100]

+Jennifer foreman Adoptive parents refused.

[@TheAustralianHealthShow]

Best not to allow kidnappers any access. It is best to always put the child first and not allow them to be kidnappers.

[@TheAustralianHealthShow]

The best part of adoption is when the real father gets his child back. Amazing story about a mans strength

[@vanswty]

are you ppl crazy? would you let your biological child go? They always go searching for their real parents. It's a fact. It's a missing piece in their life. He should let her adoptive parents see her or share custody.

[@extremesoutherngal]

+vanswty A real dad wouldn't use the court system to rip a 4 year old child away from the only parents she had ever known. That little girl lost everything when she lost her adoptive parents. But he made it all about himself. If he didn't want a baby, he shouldn't have had unprotected sex, knowing full well he would eventually deploy for 4 years- who does that? A selfish man, that's who. Thankfully, the adoptive parents got her back last year. Now hopefully she can heal from the damage and the loss. No four year old should ever have to experience that. :(

[@vanswty]

+extremesoutherngal it's his kid...end of story...who got adopted without HIS KNOWLEDGE!

[@extremesoutherngal]

Yep, biologically its his kid. But he abused her in a horrible way. End of story.

[@vanswty]

+extremesoutherngal just your opinion. clearly not the courts.

[@extremesoutherngal]

vanswty Apparently the court changed its mind because it made him give her back last year.

[@jimwilson3554]

My goodness, the child goes to the biological father, no question. The people who adopted should have given the child back immediately, that where the problem was, their selfishness.

[@lassie3592]

you adopt a child and rase her for years and the half to give her back

[@marykay8587]

Jim Wilson nope...sorry, disagree....first off, she didn't want to go with a man she neve knew and 2nd there's no bonding or attachment there....if my biological parents came back for me I'd be kicking and screaming cause I'd want to stay with my adoptive parents who raised me since I was an infant....the connection is already created and solidified both with the child and parent, why break that? and to call the adoption selfish? why??

[@bambifrancisco3854]

The child should always go to its family who is capable of caring for the child. They worrie about the damage to the child by taking it from the adoptive family? Tell the child the truth!!!!!!! The county & state made a mistake that they should right!!!

[@Dorkzilla78]

Uhhh, the facts are wrong here. Veronica was 2 when SC courts ordered her returned to her father. She thrived in his care. The kidnapping Capobiancos fought to get her back when they had no right to. She was with her dad until she was 4 when higher courts demanded her rightful father hand her back. Get your facts right. The kidnappers didn't have her for 4 yrs. Only 2.

[@odiesmum2012]

Keep them in the family as Aunt and Uncle. Hopefully the father will find a way to share the love.

[@pritypantee9248]

Yeah right get them out keep them out

[@ednavasquez2650]

When putting a child up for adoption they should make sure they have both parents consent that they both agree to put the child up for adoption that way this doesn't happen. Just because the mother doesn't want the child doesn't mean the father doesn't. She should of let him know what her intentions were.

[@WhatUpDoe.]

Biological parents get first rights! End of story.

[@pookied.7738]

It should be in the best interest of the child. Its not her fault her mom didn't do what she needed to do. He also signed that paper. After he signed that paper, that should of been a wrap. You dont want the baby now all of a sudden you do want the baby? How about you make up your mind?

[@naomivillage3969]

Nicole N Debutante yes Nicole your absolutely right.. and who knows what documents he thought he'd sign. many times every single day mom's and dad's sign papers that they have no idea what their signing. for example if u get a revenge call from CPS many times they try to make the parents sign paperwork, because parents are desperate and want CPS out their lives, they try to help these workers prove their innocence, anyways when they sign documents their admitting GUILT not cooperation. now with that being said, it may be a little off topic but when that woman went to give her kid up for adoption, I guarantee that's when he had to sign custody over, most dead beats don't sign papers. they just dissapear. when that girl had her kid up for adoption, that's when they most likely contacted him and had him sign something that was probably something he had no idea of. now I may be completely wrong and completely ignorant to the situation, but this is happening ALOT . if this case is anything like what I have been seeing. now the adoptive parents, I don't know this particular case, but many are great. the states are pushing adoption to fast. this shouldn't be. I'm no one with the answers to f ix it, but I can see it's a huge issue.

[@roypullin2155]

All of you are nuts!

[@TheAustralianHealthShow]

Hes the man he can decide whenever he wants and he wanted her back so bend over and hand it over.

[@icturner23]

Ember M No, not end of story. Stability for the child is the most important thing. CHILDREN get first rights, not any kind of parents.

[@lolabigcups7121]

This is a very messed up situation for all parties involved with that said I think the baby should be with her father.

[@JustTheilogsAdventures]

The biological father didn't want to raise the child being that he signed a full custody agreement to the mother. The adoptive parents should have the right to keep the child and have the biological father visit when he desires. The hardest part is done on taking care of the child, feeding every 2-3 hrs, lack of sleep, diaper changes. Not to mention that child has built trust onto to adoptive parents. It's been years now and I'd like to find out if there was an agreement with the two families.

[@lisasmith3594]

The father wanted his child but when you overseas in a war how can you take care of a child so he would have to let whatever be done til he can get back and say that he want his daughter

[@CrogBear]

After raising that child for four years, there is absolutely no way I would give her up.

[@slyzero65]

A friend of mine lives in North Africa and he have NO chance to see his son! The child's Mother live in North Europe. They take the child and put it to an other family. They don't ask the father one time, if he like to take his child. He is very depressed and about to do suicide, cause he still love and miss his child, but they don't give him nto the country, to take his son!! It is soooo bad, that in general a biological father have NO RIGHTS!!!

[@TheYasmineFlower]

+Safia Amatullah What country do the mother and the child live in? Has he tried contacting Amnesty International or other human rights organisations?

[@noramaddy4409]

A child should always be raised by it's biological parent/s where possible. When the child is older he/she will want to know his/her parents. If the foster parents were acting in the best interests of the child then in a supportive process of familiarisation they would return the child to her father. I know this is what I would do because the child's interests and needs are more important than my own or that of any other adult. I would hope to be accepted as part of the extended family and to participate in thier lives so contact is not broken and lost. This removes focus from the needs or wishes of the adults and shows genuine care and action for the child.

[@borntorockout]

Nora Maddy no. Just no. By the age of 4, an individual has already developed an attachment to their parents (i.e. The adoptive ones). He should be allowed to be in her life but taking her away is so selfish. I don't care if he served, he's a bad person and a terrible parent.

[@noramaddy4409]

Yes those adoptive parents did a wonderful job when neither of the parents could be there. Developing a secure bond with the child was very important for the child. I did say the child returning to her father should be a process of familiarisation. Both families need to co-operate with one another. The father needs to trust and develop a relationship with the adoptive parents also and they him. This needs to be an extended family relationship. If there is no reason why the father cannot raise his daughter and wants to do this then he should be supported in this. There is always a bond between child and parent even when they have lived lives apart for whatever reason. We need to accept the importance biological parents have for their children and work with them. We consider the childs needs through all her age develpment stages into adulthood. She will want to know her parents in the future and withholding these from her is damage...it will all come out later it always does. Don't underestimate parent child relationships and bond. I also cared for a child for a time and never did once it cross my mind to not wish that child a return to his parents. As an extended family we have a wonderful supportive relationship together. We do not own children we accompany them through their growing years. They always are best with mum and dad when possible. Children grow in a community and their parents are centre in their lives. I am sorry I can only offer you these words, I stand by my understanding.

[@roypullin2155]

borntorockout I agree with you.

[@pixie8653]

The Capobianocs knew that the Bio-Dad had not agreed to the adoption and wanted the baby, when she was just four months old! They made the decision to fight for four years. ! They made their own misery, for themselves and for the child.Bio-Dad agreed to let mom have custody; he didn't agree that she could be given up for adoption. The adoptive parents should have tried to transition the child as soon as they were aware, that the Bio-Dad had not given his consent and wanted the child back.

[@person88952]

I have struggled with both sides of this but this sums it up completely & I agree I get the feeling the Capobiancos were desperate for a child and got their claws into her and refused to let her go no matter what but that means they were not willing to see the other side or have a balanced perspective as hard as it was to give her up how much harder for the Dad to give up his own biological child which he did want as soon as he found out she was given up for adoption and not being raised by her Mum Like you said he gave custody to the Mum to raise the child but was still her parent and the Mum should have consulted him before she went ahead with the adoption which he could have then stopped at that stage and taken custody himself and not sure why she did not even offer him this option unless she thought he would not be interested but turns out he was!! Probably some spite involved!

[@TedTheAtheist]

By definition, a judge DOES have a right to determine if he still has a right. That's why he's a "judge".

[@ironlion45]

Wow, way to be anti-dad. The mother (biological) here is to blame. She really shouldn't have acted unilaterally. That was selfish, and stupid. If the biological parent is a fit parent, they really must have priority. It's hard for the adoptive couple, I know, but in this case, it is the right thing. Imagine being the adoptive parents. one day she's going to pursue her bio-parents. Then she'll find out that she has a bio-dad, who wanted her, wanted her to be part of his life, but the adoptive parents prevented that. How do you think she's going to feel about that? Exactly.

[@person88952]

Yup!

[@roypullin2155]

So what?

[@maipai101]

No, the adoptive parents were ordered to return her, but the dragged it out for two years. They refused to let the man see his child. We shouldn't reward their bad behavior. Veronica is not 4 by the way she is now 3.

[@heddaskarblokhin9447]

This is not a difficult decision at all. Sure, i feel bad for the guy, but the kid does not know him. The guy is a stranger to the child, and he does not even have a home for his own. The child in this case knows the adoptive parents as the only parents. Sure, maybe he should have the possibility to get to know the child, but not take the kid from its parents. The adoptive parents is the only parents the child knows, and the child is theirs. They raised the child, he can´t come 4 years later and say "yeah, now I'm ready to be a parent", it doesn't work like that. The kid comes first, so let it be with its parents and not a stranger.

[@Thatonefan19]

except the fact that he didn't leave he was in Iraq he is the kid's father and the woman had no right to give the kid up for adoption without his knowledge but of course he is a man take his kid away from him and keep him from ever having to have a chance!

[@heddaskarblokhin9447]

No, if he wanted the child he should have come forward a lot sooner. Sure, i feel bad for the guy, and i dont discriminate on him for being the father. But he should not just clame a child because he feels like it. These people are the only parents this child knows, and he is a stranger. Him doing this would just be for his own selfish wishes, and it would not be in the best interest of the child. Sure, giving him visitation rights, and involving him in the childs life would just be right, but he should not expect to get more than that.

[@0793capable]

+hedda ludvigsen Did you not understand when Jackie said the Dad was in Iraq?!! that is a combat situation! War!! he don't have the option of just combing forward when he was ready! that's silly!! Another thing, as long as you are activated for a combat situation, you have to leave Power of Attorney for your children, to someone else! Take a minute and think about why!!

[@jawja100]

+Jackie James She virtually sold th baby to the couple and the adoption agency that specializes in finding Indian babies for adoptees.

[@jawja100]

Unfortunately, the adoptive parents were awarded custody of Baby Veronica last year. They and the adoption agency took the case to the Supreme Court. Money will tell. There is no justice any more.

[@denalaurens]

Giving the other parent full physical custody is not the same as signing away full parental rights.

[@cynbuckgreen2533]

A lot of soldiers give Sole custody to other parent so that if child needs surgery, medical treatments, family needs to move farther than 150 miles from current home and soldier is overseas and\ or on a field mission for weeks at a time where there is no contact with soldiers\ families then parent taking care of kid doesn't need to get Other parent permission first. If it isn't an emergency room type thing and you share 50\50 custody both parents have to give consent since soldiers can't always do that, they often have signed over some custody Not same thing as signing over all rights !!!! Mothers that pull these illegal stunts are to blame and the adoption agencies that lie to get adoption finalized!

[@hajime3570]

I knew some in my platoon who did the same thing. He gave his gf some custody because we were on a 1 year deployment( 3 month build up, 6 months in country, 3 month build down). I would do the same if I had kids and were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

[@MichaelKerr71]

I have nothing but great things to say about the Cherokee Nation. They have helped me out on big time on 2 occasions. I will forever be grateful to them.

[@MissyRose94]

I think maybe joint custody would have been better...

[@MissyRose94]

***** They were raising her. Taking care of her. Loving her. At they point, they were her parents. That's what she knew. It was wrong to just destroy her reality like that. It's not healthy to do that to a child.

[@TheAustralianHealthShow]

no it wouldnt be.

[@dj13willi]

Although the adoptive parents must feel horrible having to give her up, there's still plenty of children out there that can use a good home.

[@spiralrose]

In the end, the bio-dad gave the little girl back to her rightful parents. All ended well.

[@hajime3570]

That kid is going to end up hating her adopted parents.

[@kimtinte84]

First...Full custody is not a termination of parental rights...that maybe he was granted custody....but in the dad did the right thing and gave her back....now everyone needs to work together to make this little girls life as happy as possible

[@DarleneYoungartist]

It is very sad but she has a loving father who wants her and that trumps all. He didn't know about the child but as soon as he did he stepped up. I think most adopted people have a lot of issues even if their adoptive parents are great.

[@salenebrom6476]

It's not for love it's the paycheck

[@michellej1372]

+Darlene Young Surely a main reason adoptive children have issues is because they're put into the adopters' care after the first few years. I imagine this child could likely have the same issues as adoptive children because she's been brought up since a baby with them and they're the family she's grown to love. Now she's being put with a man she's never known before.

[@ariaalexandria3324]

+Darlene Young He knew about the baby, but abandoned her. He signed the adoption form somehow thinking he was giving up his rights to the birth mother. So he intended to not be there anyway.

[@DarleneYoungartist]

He didn't abandon her. He gave her to her mother to raise but not to strangers. As soon as he found out that her mother had given her away he stepped up. It's sad that he didn't learn sooner as it would have saved the adoptive parents the pain of having her taken away. It's unfortunate that the social workers didn't try harder to contact the biological father. The father didn't sign to give the child up for adoption only to give up the right to interfere with the mother's raising the child. After all he was gone to war. The whole thing is very sad but I think it's right for the father to get the child back. Imagine coming home from war only to find your child has been given up for adoption. Now his family will help him raise his child. She will grow up with her own people. And the adoptive parents will have to heal. Maybe they will find another child to love and nurture. There are many many older children needing to be adopted.

[@hannahyoung6762]

+Aria Clements Military Members have to sign something called a "Family Care Plan" it's basically gives custody to either the other parent or to another designated person. who is legally responsible for said child while the Military member is deployed. the Birth Mother was a B**** who used that form to get rid of the kid

[@jorelmoran]

living with your parents is the true definition of not being able to support yourself. if not economically, then emotionally and/ or mentally.

[@shieh.4743]

I wished this father loved his child enough to let her live with the people who has given her their love for 4 years. I would understand a shared custody dispute, but wow. Just heart-wrenching.

[@blackcat4562]

I agree, the poor thing..

[@wynwilliams6977]

+Sarah Hie loved his child enough to abandon the child?? maybe include in her life but no, that isn't love.

[@jaxcoss5790]

+Sarah Hie, he loved his daughter enough to want to be her father. He did not agree to the adoption.

[@susangardiner2087]

+Jax James Problem here is that she is not with him but in foster care because he was neglecting her and abusing her. If this is the same case on Dr. Phil.

[@He805]

+Sarah Hie Very well said! In this case the toddler is used as a thing and not as a human being!

[@maipai101]

It was the adoptive parents who dragged this on since she was 6 months. Big ups to the people who put pressure on this.

[@WobblesandBean]

Gee, going from spending your entire life in a loving, stable household to a loser who lives with his parents and wasn't fit to raise his other child. Good luck in therapy, kid. God, this is heartbreaking. That poor girl should have stayed with her adopted parents, her REAL parents, 100%!

[@0793capable]

+Amelia Bee He isn't a loser!! He's an Iraqi War Soldier!! what did you hear?! He might be living with his parents for only a moment until he gets his self situated! It takes time to come from a war zone, back to civilian life, and into a place of your own!! I know!! I had to do it...twice!!

[@gilanin]

They should do a follow up to this story. So many things happened since then.

[@connieregulifamilyforward]

Read Stanley v. Illinois - that father has parental rights

[@jonquist4136]

+Connie Reguli - He may have rights but that doesn't make it morally right for him to take the child from the only family she has ever known. What about the childs rights? Doesn't she have a right to not be traumatized just to satisfy a guys broken heart? Taking her from the adoptive family at this point will most likely cause her psychological problems that will affect her for the rest of her life. That isn't fair to her. A childs best interests trumps a broken heart anyday.

[@maipai101]

This isn't the same case. At all! Dusten isn't abusive as we can see. That would have come up in all the court proceedings. He is a willing and ABLE father he has the RIGHT to raise his own blood.

[@nerdybudsXx]

It's not fair he gets the daughter because he wasn't there for the pregnancy and didn't want to be apart of the life and didn't want to support his daughter because the mother wouldn't marry him. Four years later he decides to take his daughter, get out of here man.

[@KahwahShutseh]

They were both being young and dumb, I listened to the court testimonies and read the transcripts. She hid from him whenever he went looking for her, he said he thought if he gave her space she would return. She didn't tell him she had the baby. She didn't formally tell him she was giving her up for adoption and apparently under law the mother does not have to inform the father there are more and more cases like this popping up all over the country where the mother plots with an adoption agency to give the baby up at birth while hiding from the father. He fought to get his child back the moment he was informed of her birth and adoption and the "adoptive" parents were not even adoptive then and had illegally taken the child across state lines, when they found out the Father wanted his child the baby was still an infant and instead of doing the right thing when they realised he had not been informed and was not a bad person they kept the baby and fought in court for two years, the law was not followed at all, federal or state laws. And in a deal between two governors (Oklahoma and Carolina) they forced the father's hand under unlawful threat of arrest in both states to give up his child again and return her to this couple. Basically they bought her and were protected by law.

[@logancollins7589]

KahwahShutseh He was at war. Last I checked if you get asked to go to war you can't say "Sorry my girlfriend/wife/lover is pregnant and I need to raise the child so she doesn't put it in foster care." I think there needs to be a compromise. Parents have joint custody and I think all 3 of these parents have a right to the child. Divorced parents do summer/school year custody and split holidays. I think this should be the same thing they should do. This little girl has 3 parents, kids today are lucky if they have 2. All the parents should be allowed to be involved in her life.

[@karencruz3515]

you should really inform yourself before speaking. he was in iraq. not down the block.

[@KahwahShutseh]

Karen Cruz No, sorry, he wasn't initially in Iraq, he was being processed for deployment after she was born. She did hide from him her entire pregnancy, this is from his own mouth, read the court transcripts.

[@KahwahShutseh]

Logan Collins I don't think you read my statement at all. Yes he was deployed, *after* she was born, he discovered her birth just before deployment. Yes you can request an Emergency Family Leave from deployment. It wasn't recommended and he thought he could deal with it while on deployment, his parents even went to court to become the baby's temporary guardian. She did hide from him while she was pregnant. No there should not be a compromise, the "adoptive" parents should not be given even temporary parental rights. They sought to "adopt" a baby when they knew before the baby was born and after the baby was born that the father wanted his child. They essentially, legally bought this baby. It is disgusting to adopt a baby when you know both or one parent is alive and absolutely capable and willing to raise their own child and it is even more despicable to seek that same child out after the courts order the baby returned to fit and loving parents. They absolutely without a doubt knew the father wanted his baby before she was even born and they advised the mother to keep the birth from him.

[@candywhite977]

Biological parents has the right to have the child . No arguments!!

[@britneybrown1508]

these reporters are annoying me....every child deserves to be with their correct parents if the parents have all the necessary thingo offer to that child...its not his fault that the woman gave his child away..who cares if other people had his child for 4 years...she is his..without him she wouldnt exist

[@Sparrow-lh9qk]

Speaking as someone who spent years studying the physical and psychological development of young children, you're being incredibly selfish and not thinking of the child's well being here. Biological or not, the couple raised this girl for four years and are the only parents she knows. Imagine being ripped from YOUR parents at four and being sent to live with a man you've never met before. Simply because they're not biological doesn't mean they're not mom and dad. My boyfriend's brother calls me mom because his own mother drugged and raped him and then sold him out to her friends to allow him to be raped by them before he was even five. Everyone, the judge included, agree that while she is his biological mother, she is NOT a mother, and certainly not his mom. By your skewed logic, that seven year old boy should forgive her for her horrible crimes against him and she should be allowed custody because, hey! She's his mother! Without her, he wouldn't exist! For the record, I am the only mother figure he's ever known, despite the fact I'm the same age as his much older brother, he calls me "Mama." I'm not mom and he knows it, but he, at seven years old, told his father he wants to call me mama because I'll never hurt him like "Mom," what he calls his biological mother, did. He wanted to give me a title for the role I've taken on to show his love for me, and his father and therapist have both agreed that I am, effective, his mom, and the father even decided to change his will so that should anything happen to him, both my boyfriend's brother and sister will be transferred to the custody of both my boyfriend AND myself, instead of just to my boyfriend. Are you saying this child would be better off in his pedophile mother's custody instead of in that of myself, simply because that woman is his biological mom and I'm effectively the woman he adopted as his mother? That's obviously not the case here, and I'm not saying the biological dad didn't have any rights to her, because he does, but when you think only of the parent's right (and, by the way, in your saying "she is his," you do a wonderful job as devaluing a living, breathing human child as property and worth nothing more then a lamp.) and not how the child either feels or may respond to the outcome of a ruling, you end up with a child who is facing years and years of therapy. This ruling undoubtedly put unbelievable trauma on this little girl, and I hope that the father allows the couple visitation with her, because if he doesn't, it'll just make the transition all that harder.

[@britneybrown1508]

No need for that long story....she wont be a little girl forever ........if I was that child I would hate that family when I grew up knowing that my dad wanted me however they kept him from me...its completely different when u help a child who is not needed by their family but keeping a child from her biological dad who wants her is a different story (he was unaware of the adoption). I can not imagine my life without my dad and I am glad she got to spend the rest of her life with her biological dad. I do support adoption, but not in this case. My opinion, if you don't like it its still my opinion.

[@Sparrow-lh9qk]

Sorry to say, she has three parents, her adoptive parents and her biological father. She has two dads. If you seriously think tearing her away from the only family she ever knows and never allowing them to see her again is good for her and won't leave her damaged for years, you're either ignorant or incredibly stupid. Take your pick. I'm not saying her father doesn't deserve her, because he does, but she should NOT just be ripped away from the family she already has. She won't be a little girl forever, of course, but the damage left from your childhood follows you all your life. It's not a matter of "Derp, he's her father and she shouldn't have been adopted out, so let's totally ignore her mental health!" No, no, no. This is much, much more of a sensitive issue. She needs to be eased into it, and having her in the home she's grown up in one day, then suddenly ripped from that life and thrown into a new one the next. She's going to need to be eased into her father's custody. Visitation, probably with her parents there, to spending the night with him maybe once a week or so, to spending a few days with him, then staying with him a few weeks, to being with him a few months, and then to finally put into his custody, and she'll probably need a lot of therapy. Like it or not, they are her parents and she is a little girl. She WILL remember this, and the trauma will stay with her if it's not treated like the delicate situation it is. She is NOT an object to be transferred to one person to another, she is a little girl and her mental state over the whole thing MUST be taken into consideration. So, take your pick. Your opinion of her belonging to her father and her just being thrust from one world to the next without any regard of her mental health either stems from extreme stupidity, or severe ignorance of a child's development. Personally, I really hope it's the latter. Ignorance you can fix by education... Stupidity you can't.

[@britneybrown1508]

You confused person 'Mr crazygirl" can you plz stop with the long paragraphs...it makes no sense bcus I will stick to my opinion no matter what you say. Stop arguing with me for my opinion and go do more important things. This is KZbin not Dr. Phil.Goodnight and enjoy the rest of ur day :D

[@Sparrow-lh9qk]

britney brown In other words... You're incredibly stubborn and refuse to accept logic so you decide to hold fast to an uninformed opinion, but can't argue anymore because you have no further points yet refuse to concede defeat. So, instead of accepting when someone decides to throw logic and facts in your face, you decide to close by insulting them for doing so. Ah, well, I was tired of deciphering your comments, anyhow... All that text language and such. I really don't understand why people bother... Any time saved in typing is then wasted in trying to figure out what was meant. But I'm guessing you're either in middle or high school, so I suppose I must forgive you. For the record, if you're not prepared for people to try to open a debate, you should really keep your thoughts off a public place like KZbin. But I digress... Have a good night.

[@obermegalutschoar]

A): The child was 2 when her mother gave up custody. B): Being torn away from your parents at birth is not traumatizing. Children are not even aware of their surroundings, least of themselves and their relations to others when they are infants.

[@djaynewman]

As long as the child was happy with the adoptive parents I would have left them with custody. To essentially give the child up to somebody she doesn't know is just wrong.

[@hannahyoung6762]

+Jay Newman he was fighting for her since she was 2 months old. the adoptive parents REFUSED to return her to the father

[@hannahyoung6762]

+Jay Newman he was fighting for her since she was 2 months old. the adoptive parents REFUSED to return her to the father

[@djaynewman]

+Hannah Young From what I've heard from other sources, the biological father had signed away his parental rights. This is why his lawyer had to misuse a piece of legislation not meant for this purpose.

[@roypullin2155]

The kid was adopted. He should've accepted that and blamed her mom instead.

[@Hoodiethegoat]

Someone who recognizes that military members coming back to the states usually have to find temporary living arrangements before going out on their own.

[@rdgloveshouse]

the bio father should have done the right thing and not torn that child away from her parents....

[@SerenaSchizophrenic]

That's HIS CHILD not theirs that is the risk you take when adopting a child without knowing the situation

[@rdgloveshouse]

that has nothing to do with my comment.... to the child, those were the parents... do you have any idea how traumatic that would be for her?

[@Ayitiana]

+rdgloveshouse He didn't know about her being adopted if he did that would've been avoided . I'm happy he's gotten her.

[@rdgloveshouse]

good for him but do you have any idea how traumatic that would be for a 4 year old??? it probably scarred her for life... it wasn't her fault the father didn't know she was adopted.

[@mariamafatty3485]

+rdgloveshouse what woud you do if your child was taken away drom you like that? Yes poor girl but it's her daughter.

[@TemperanceRaziel]

How does the father not know for four years? I would not want him to have custody of any child.

[@treasatalbot9793]

I feel bad for both parts on the situation like I understand that the father wasn't around because he was in Iraq but this child was already with a family and now the family lost a child it's sad!😳😒👌

[@TheYasmineFlower]

+Treassa Talbot They stole her back from her father when she was four, due to a legal loophole. Now, she is not being raised by her real family and her real father. The one who matters is the child. The emotions of adoptive parents and biological parents do not matter. It#s the best interest of the child that matters. And the best interest of the child is to grow up with it's biological family whenever possible and safe and within it's own culture whenever possible.

[@launachan]

the father should of been contacted somehow before the child was ever put up to adoption father's deserve rights to

[@treasatalbot9793]

+Cycling in Edmonton from the Eyes of a Teen I understand what you're trying to say but it's not for me to ask it's for the adoptive parents to ask that question to that child I sent that message out because I feel bad on both sides but the real father deserve his rights with his child nothing more nothing less it's just sad because the child is going to suffer in some sense!

[@odiesmum2012]

True.

[@breno2342]

I think the adoptive parents should have custody, no question. After 4 years, they're far more of a parent to the kid than the father is.

[@jennchoi6263]

the child should always come first... the happiness and the best for the little child.. I feel terrible for the adoptive parents.... It mustve been so heartbreaking... and a shock to the poor innocent baby

[@adronias]

Who wants to bet that getting moved from parent to parent, different house to different house will have significant impact on this poor girl when she grows up.

[@SharonBaxter12]

We're the Indians with feathers not dots!

[@BluKittenExtensions]

I think it's in the best interest of the child to let her grow up with the family who has been raising her. He can still be involved in her life.

[@kxx8855]

I understand how hard that must have been for the biological father but it was 100% selfish of him to take full custody of her. how devastating that must have been for a 4 year old child to be taken from the only parents she's ever known and handed over to a complete stranger. how is her little brain supposed to comprehend that?

[@zinniairis]

You say that it is selfish but if your child is taken from you involuntarily, you want your child back.

[@kxx8855]

+Chioma L. sure I understand that but the sensible thing for the child would be a gradual introduction. and how is that fair to the people who have raised this girl for 3 years, doing everything for her, feeding her caring for her teaching her everything? sorry but when he signed over custody this was the kind of stuff he should have been thinking about

[@kxx8855]

fooloof I understand that, but do you see my point? this little girl has no idea who this guy is. a 4 year old doesn't have the understanding that this is her "real dad", to her the parents who have raised her for 4 years are her real parents.

[@kxx8855]

fooloof and how about the people who raised her as their daughter for years?

[@kxx8855]

fooloof I just don't agree with how it went down. I think it could have been handled better. is there going to be financial compensation for the people who raised his kid for 3 years? is she going to get to visit them? as someone who raised my niece for 5 years, taking care of her daily and paying for all her food clothes school activities and everything else I sympathize with the adoptive parents. she was my kid, and then my ex sister in law used some legal loopholes to take custody back from me.

[@RodesLaw]

The dad has no rights, the people who raised the kid should have all the rights.

[@luluarrow992]

The adopted family should keep her

[@jennifertaylorwilson1636]

In 2013, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Baby Veronica be returned to her adoptive parents in South Carolina. That was the final decision in this case... She was returned to her adoptive parents the very same day. Case closed.

[@holliemollie5409]

Jennifer Taylor Wilson The case may be closed but when Baby Veronica grows up she will look for her Birth parents. That is when the Adoptive parents pain will begin.

[@jessier8949]

The father had his daughter taken away from him

[@nakyer]

+Jennifer Taylor Wilson Unfair and immoral. If he only agreed to THE MOTHER (and not any other party) having custody, then he never agreed to the adoption, and his paternal rights were violated by that court. By the way... The Oklahoma Supreme Court isn't the highest court in the country, so guess again as to whether they can say it's the "final decision" or not.

[@jennifertaylorwilson1636]

The final decision in this case was made by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the US refused to hear the case and sent it back to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. I don't have to guess whether or not its the final decision, it is the final decision, the case is closed and over. Baby Veronica has been back with her adoptive parents now since 2013.

[@HarajukuRini]

Taking away the parents she has known her whole life is just cruel. It is too stressful to do to a child

[@iloverue7411]

I hope that father does an amazing job like the adoptive parents did.

[@aventine95]

WTF, he's taking away a child from adoptive parents it made an emotional bond with and parents who spent four years raising this child, this guy is unbelievable!

[@SuperDonster]

He obviously was willing to let the mother have custody with the understanding that the mother would have the kid, not give the kid away. Give the guy his kid back; period.

[@emmaarmstrong4668]

this is why kids should be able to have 3 parents. Adoptive parents get 50% (25% each) Birth father gets 50%. Schedule with the kid is decided in court well the kid is staying with the adoptive parents and the birth father is seeing the kid once a week. The schedule will more likely end up being every other week or something like that

[@emicperfume]

Imagine how HORRIBLE this would be for the kid who is taken is away from the only parents she knows!

[@hubboy18]

This is what is exactly wrong with our family court system. Fathers are held responsible for child support but yet when it comes to their rights as a parent they are completely ignored. It doesn't matter if he lives with his parents or his economic situation he has the right to keep his daughter.

[@o0Theresa0o]

It doesn't matter if she told him she was putting the child up for adoption or not. HE FORFEITED HIS RIGHTS TO THE CHILD. What is so hard to understand about that? And where did I say this is the worst thing in the world?

[@Zeldafan1ify]

(sigh) that mother, like so many, does not deserve to be fertile.

[@Cyrano1202]

Don't play with a little child like that. Authorities have to ensure that all questions are answered BEFORE an adoption.

[@himan7377]

That is actually very useful information from an adopted child for many of youtube's account holders guessing that the majority in not adopted, good to have the persons thoughts that it may have happened to.

[@LordOfTheDolls]

. Adopted children face loss in the most loving of homes. Our ancestors and family history help give us a sense of belonging and define who we are. Adoption is a life-long issue that deals with identity and the broken thread of family continuity. Being adopted is not always a better life, but a different one.

[@missycoronado117]

A big question is did he WANT a relationship with his daughter BEFORE she was given up? Did he want visitation? The reason this is so important is because its the difference between stealing a child and taken in an abandoned child and there is a huge difference. Under NO circumstances rich or poor should any child be stolen from parents. However, if the child was not to have that relationship with parents in the first place then the child should be with parents who want a relationship. So that's my biggest question. Was this child stolen from her Father?

[@pongman]

I think the child should choose where she wants to go. Everyone is forgetting that the child has rights as well. She's four years old and I think she can understand with whom she would like to be with.

[@WobblesandBean]

But what about the child? Can you imagine, being raised by two loving parents for four whole years, and then suddenly the courts step in and take you away from everything you've ever known and place you in the care of a total stranger?

[@dj13willi]

I don't see what's so terribly wrong about this. A lot of adopted kids grow up dreaming about who their biological parents really were, there's nothing that can substitute being raised by your real parents no matter how imperfect they are.

[@TheRachelID]

I can't help but picture I screaming baby girl going " mommy!" and a mother and fathers heart broken x

[@EngagingEric]

@GhostInTheShell29 THANK YOU!!!! THESE GUYS NEVER HAVE THE FULL STORY THEY STICK TO THE EMOTIONAL PARTS AND NOT THE RATIONAL ONES!!

[@StephanieL180]

I don't know if everyone would come out happy, but ensuring the adoptive parents get some access to the girl would be a better solution than granting him full custody.

[@dammee]

He has been fighting the case for four years. The child was given away while he was away at war. Unless there is something wrong with him, like substance abuse or debilitating mental illness, I think he has a right to raise his child. He probably only gave the mother full custody because of the nature of his job. its not like he could of had the kid in Iraq.

[@Ebolahill88]

my grandma worked as a policewoman in london, got paid less then a man, didnt get a pension like a man, even today she sought reparations and was denied. even on those wages she still raised my mum as a single parent, women not having equal financial rights in a divorce, she left with nothing accept her daughter from a home she put more then half into. yeah my family felt discrimination, but do I demand preferencial treatment, hell no

[@TedTheAtheist]

It's his kid. He has the right. She's only 4, so.. won't be a problem.

[@MagaIstvan]

That's child abuse. I can't imagine how that little baby girl felt when she was removed from her (adoptive) parents.

[@BlankBrain]

I lost custody of my daughter when she was four years old. Under Oregon law, the mother was awarded custody unless (1) she beat the child and the marks lasted over 48 hours, (2) she left the child alone for three or more days or (3) she lied to the judge and the judge found out. She was also legally able to move out of state, thereby thwarting the minimal visitation rights. The formula for determining child support was originally designed by the legislature to be punitive.

[@DeniseLaFranceCDNpainter-z9g]

Parents who lovingly raised child for 4 years deserved to keep the child & this woulda been beneficial to the child. The initial adoptive dad coulda been like a relative.

[@DMarie0824]

As a woman who placed her first born son for adoption, this story really scares me. I really hope that they looked into the background, mental stability, and so on, of biological father. This must be so hard for all involved. Especially the poor child.

[@HeavenlyLee]

No Ana, there's no shades of gray in this situation. He signed his rights away. He took the girl away from the only parents she knew her whole life to make himself feel better. As someone who was raised by adoptive parents, I hope this doesn't affect this little girl.

[@nohozana]

Please explain how a father wanting to raise his daughter is selfish.

[@nohozana]

Actually 17 months and he fought for her the whole time throughout.

[@amanda-sy2hs]

That's great I'm glad the father got back his daughter

[@nohozana]

18 months actually, and he fought for his kid back all throughout.

[@rochelle123ist]

This is why I would only adopt a baby if the biological father is known and is willing to give the baby up for adoption.

[@zeitgeist1958]

My heart goes out to the Adoptive parents. This is so horribly heart breaking!

[@BeeRitual]

People are always saying "Blood does not make you family", yet in cases like this people ignore that. The adopted parents should get custody, they raised it for four years and are more her parents then the Biological father. I do not like the Biological father in this case, I think he make the wrong decision and destroyed 3 lives in the process.

[@Surlish]

1. The father knew after four months, when he was told of the adoption. I don't know of anyone who would think full custody of a child meant unilateral rights to give a child up for adoption. 2. The prospective parents had custody for two years, not four. 3. Adoption was never finalised.

[@Hoodiethegoat]

For the best interest of the child, the child should be with a willing and able biological parent. Psychologically, there are some risks of abandonment issues with adopted children--not always, but sometimes. This father wants to raise his child, and had the adoptive parents acted in love, the potential harm to this child's psyche would have been extremely minimized.

[@roypullin2155]

But biology means nothing.

[@jfsfrnd]

Lots of people live with their parents today and have all through history.

[@peacefreedom4930]

People need to stop circumventing laws. The baby needs to be with her biological father. It isn’t rocket science.

[@SteelersFANinMA]

When a MARRIED couple w/children divorce, usually one will get PHYSICAL custody, (Will live with) and they split LEGAL custody, (Rights and input to school and medical records). When the couple is not married, the parent with physical custody, usually mom, will also get FULL LEGAL custody. This does not mean dad has no rights or signed his rights away. If mom wants to play, dad will have to fight it in court. Any judge will tell you this. I've been through it, fought and won JOINT-LEGAL Custody.