The governor of Oklahoma has ordered the biological father of 'Baby Veronica' to be extradited to South Carolina where he will face felony charges after interfering with the custody of her adoptive parents, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed the order for Dusten Brown, Veronica's biological father, after he refused to negotiate with her adoptive parents, Matt and Melanie Capobianco, of South Carolina.
"My goal in the Baby Veronica case has been to encourage both Mr. Brown and the Capobianco family to reach a quick settlement and come to an agreement that protects Veronica's best interests," Gov. Fallin said.
Known in court documents as 'Baby Veronica,' the three-year-old girl has been the center of a high-profile custody battle after she was given up for adoption by her birth mother.
Brown, a member of Cherokee nation, filed a suit against the couple who raised the girl for two years, citing the Indian Child Welfare Act -- a rule which makes it difficult for non-Native Americans to adopt a child of Indian ancestry. South Carolina courts ruled in Brown's favor and she was sent back to her biological father. Ever since, her adoptive parents have been working to regain full custody.
The governor mentioned that she did not believe Brown has good intentions in the case.
"It has become clear that Dusten Brown is not acting in good faith. He has disobeyed an Oklahoma court order to allow the Capobiancos to visit their adopted daughter and continues to deny visitation. He is acting in open violation of both Oklahoma and South Carolina courts, which have granted custody of Veronica to the Capobiancos. Finally, he has cut off negotiations with the Capobiancos and shown no interest in pursuing any other course than yet another lengthy legal battle," Fallin said in the statement.
"As a mother, I believe it is in the best interests of Veronica to help end this controversy and find her a permanent home. For both of these reasons, I have signed the extradition order to send Mr. Brown to South Carolina," the governor added.
Fallin sent the extradition order to Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office on late Wednesday, according to spokesman Alex Weintz.
"Our hope is that Dusten Brown will turn himself in," Weintz said. He also reported that Brown's lawyers were notified of the order sent out for their client on Wednesday night.
Brown and his legal team have not commented on the extradition order.
