Couple Fight To Keep Adopted Child After Her Ex-Convict Biological Father Wins Custody

A couple in South Carolina in the US are fighting to keep a three-year-old girl they legally adopted after losing a court ruling to her biological father who was just released from prison and wants to raise her.

WBTV reported that Braelynn has been living with Tammy and Edward Dalsing since she was still three weeks old in Rock Hill and has been legally adopted in 2015.

However, a court recently ruled that she belongs with her biological father, Andrew Jack Myers, after he appealed the adoption order.

Court documents show that Mr Myers had pending criminal charges prior to the pregnancy of Braelynn’s mother, Erica Smith.

When Ms Smith became pregnant with their child, Mr Myers turned himself into authorities so that he could serve his prison sentence before the child was born.

However, when Mr Myers was put in prison, Ms Smith gave up her parental rights. Because of that, Mr Myer’s rights were also terminated.

Last month, Mr Myers claims that it should have never happened and a judge agreed with him and vacated the couple’s adoption order.

But the adoptive mother, Tammy, explained why they should keep Braelynn. “It would be the equivalent of having both of your parents die. Well, your whole family, her sisters, her brothers. The judge was so clear on why she chose us and why she did not choose the biological father or his family members. She was very clear,” she said.

She also added how Braelynn would feel about the matter. “All of a sudden I’m going to look at her and say, I’m sorry baby girl but I can’t be your mommy anymore and daddy can’t be your daddy anymore. “And you can’t live here anymore. She is not going to understand that.” Tammy said.

Her husband, Edward, also said he was ‘stunned’ when the court sided with her biological father in their case. “I was just stunned when we got the word from… when we got the word from the appellate court,” he said.

The couple has requested a re-hearing in the case with the state court of appeals.

Mr Myers disagrees with the couple, as his attorney sent the following statement to WBTV on his behalf. It reads:

“Mr. Myers is very pleased with the outcome in the Court of Appeals.

“He has tried to remain positive throughout this ordeal. In defeat, he quietly persevered through the appellate process.

“In victory, he patiently awaits the next step. It is extremely unfortunate that a case that should have been kept so private to protect this young child has become so public at no fault of Mr. Myers or this young child.

“The social media footprint that has been created by the defeated party in this case will forever haunt this child and be available for all to see for years and years to come. It is extremely selfish and will never be in the best interest of any child.”

However, the couple also countered and explained that they are fighting for Braelynn’s best interest.

“Biology does not make a mother and a father, love does. And she is very much loved where she’s at. That’s where she needs to be,” Edward said.

For now, Braelynn is still living with the couple, as she has never met Mr Myers. It’s also unclear where Ms Smith is or what charges Mr Myers was serving prison time for.

South Carolina Department of Social Services has no comment on the issue.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk