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Lawyer: Adoptive Parents Can't See Cherokee Girl

The seal of the Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation

Court documents show a lawyer appointed to look out for the best interests of a 3-year-old Cherokee girl at the center of an adoption dispute has asked a judge to suspend visitation rights for her adoptive parents.

Angel Smith filed a motion in Cherokee County District Court in Oklahoma on Friday asking the judge to suspend the right for Matt and Melanie Capobianco to see 3-year-old Veronica pending a hearing.

The Capobiancos have filed a motion objecting to the stay.

Veronica's birth father, Dusten Brown, is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Her birth mother is not. Brown is pushing for custody of the girl under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The U.S. Supreme Court says the Act doesn't apply. A South Carolina court awarded the Capobiancos custody July 31.

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