The Orange County Register reports that a panel of appellate court judges ruled Tuesday that an Orange County woman can temporarily retain custody of her 2-year-old adoptive daughter, Vanessa. Stacey Doss of Rancho Santa Margarita began the process of adopting Vanessa soon after she was born in Ohio. The adoption process has not come to completion, however, because of paternity claims by Vanessa's biological father, Benjamin Mills, Jr. Both are now fighting for permanent custody of Vanessa, a contentious dispute that has gained national attention.
When Doss began the adoption process, she was told by Vanessa's birth mother that she had become pregnant with Vanessa after a one-night stand. She had other children with Mills, but told Doss he was not the father of Vanessa. Later, genetic tests proved that Mills was the biological father. Vanessa's mother and Mills had a turbulent relationship, and Mills served 18 years in an Ohio prison for domestic violence. Mills has had his driver's license suspended for failure to pay child support.
An Orange County judge relinquished jurisdiction over the child custody case and an Ohio judge ordered Vanessa to be returned to Ohio on Friday. She was to be placed in foster care until the case was resolved. Attorneys representing Mills and Doss will both have turns to respond to the court's decision and to each other. Both sides have been asked to explain to the court how they believe Vanessa's best interests will be served.
Source:
Court: Adopted child can stay in California (Orange County Register)
