August 15th, 2013
01:27 PM ET

Custody Battle Over Veronica Heats Up

A family saga that has spread from Oklahoma to South Carolina and back again is showing some hopes of resolution.

In the case of three-year-old Veronica, both the adoptive parents and her biological father are now making moves they hope might lead to a final forever home for the little girl.

South Carolina couple Melanie and Matt Capobianco adopted and raised Veronica for two years before losing her over a bitter custody dispute to her biological father Dusten Brown.

Four years ago, Brown had waived his parental rights.

“A member of the Cherokee nation, Brown later changed his mind, arguing federal law protects Native American children from being separated from their families,” reports CNN’s Zoraida Sambolin. (WATCH TOP VIDEO)

“He was awarded custody in December 2011.”

But when the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, justices ruled in favor of the adoptive parents, and South Carolina ordered the baby be returned to them.

Wednesday, the Capobiancos arrived in Oklahoma desperately fighting to get their adopted daughter back.

"What we seek is peace for our daughter,” Melanie Capobianco told the press.

Even Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is weighing in on the case. She tweeted Wednesday: "Mr. and Mrs. Capobianco deserve an opportunity to meet with their adopted daughter.”

She also tweeted: "They also deserve the chance to meet with Mr. Brown and put an end to this conflict."

“Brown's attorney tells CNN that at his client's request, and Governor Fallin's suggestion, he had reached out to the Capobiancos’ representatives to discuss a resolution in the best interests of Baby Veronica,” Sambolin reports.

“This included an offer to meet personally with the Capobiancos.”

“This child has been living two different lives. Two years with one set of parents, two years with another set of parents,” says CNN's "Legal View" host Ashleigh Banfield.  (WATCH VIDEO)

Veronica’s life is caught in the middle of a complex number of legal systems and the sentiments of two sets of parents, both of whom love her.

“In this particular case, action is in the process of being forced,” says Banfield.

“I think the courts and the government have actually tried to sidestep somewhat in order for resolution and the best interest of the child to perhaps have some foundation to work themselves out as well.”


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