Nowata Authorities Won't Take Baby Veronica Without Order From OK Courts

"I'm getting a lot of phone calls from South Carolina, and they think we can just pick up the child and say, 'Here you are.' That's not the process," Sheriff James Hallett said.

Monday, August 12th 2013, 10:48 pm

By: News On 6


The adoptive parents of 3-year-old Veronica are demanding Oklahoma authorities to "help get the girl back to South Carolina."

Veronica's biological father, Dusten Brown, is out on bond after turning himself in on a felony arrest warrant Monday.

Brown lives in Nowata. The sheriff there says it will take more than just a phone call from South Carolina for him to take Veronica into custody.

"We'll do whatever, but get your ducks in a row," Sheriff James Hallett said.

The sheriff said he's not taking the girl known as "Baby Veronica" from her family, at least not yet.

"I'm getting a lot of phone calls from South Carolina, and they think we can just pick up the child and say, 'Here you are.' That's not the process," Hallett said.

Hallett said, despite a South Carolina court order, he cannot do anything without a court order from Oklahoma.

8/12/2013 Related Story: Baby Veronica Dad Turns Self In To Oklahoma Authorities, Resists Extradition

When the courts closed Monday, the sheriff hadn't received any paperwork involving Veronica, but he has heard from Veronica's adoptive mother.

"She called me before 8 o'clock this morning, ordering me to arrest Mr. Brown and pick the child up and return her to her," Hallett said.

But Brown wasn't in Nowata County. He turned himself in to the Sequoyah County Sheriff on a felony custodial interference charge.

Brown missed a mandatory meeting in South Carolina, because he was at National Guard training.

His supporters can't believe an arrest warrant was issued in the first place.

"They're a daughter and father and they deserve to be together," said Brown supporter Kathleen Wesho-Baur.

Matt and Melanie Capobianco say they've waited long enough for Veronica: 523 excruciating days.

"No more delays, no more excuses. Our daughter has been kidnapped and I expect the situation to be treated as such," said Matt Capobianco.

Matt Capobianco said he'll fly to Oklahoma to get Veronica if nothing is done.

Sheriff Hallett said he'd end up in handcuffs, if there's no Oklahoma court order.

"He'd be kidnapping that little girl and we won't put up with that," he said.

Dusten Brown has another court hearing in 30 days. Veronica is with his parents and wife here in Oklahoma.

The Capobiancos are asking the U.S. Attorney General, the head of the FBI, as well as both Governor Fallin and the Governor of South Carolina to take action to return Veronica to them.

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