Thursday, Sep 12, 2013
National CASA Statement on Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl Decision
June 26, 2013
Tuesday's 5-4 decision in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl the United States Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), but reversed and remanded this case back to the South Carolina to determine whether this particular father's parental rights could be terminated.
CASA for Children joined 15 other national child welfare organizations in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of the father and ICWA, and remains committed to Native families and the appropriate application of ICWA in child welfare cases.
“While we are disappointed this decision does not yet bring closure for baby Veronica, there is still no question of ICWA’s role as the most important law to protect Native children and families,” said Michael Piraino, CEO, CASA for Children. “ICWA recognizes best practices that benefit all children and protects Indian families from the unfair removal of their children.”