Utah couple forced to give adopted baby back to tribe

Reported by: Susan Wood
Last Update: 12/15 10:03 am

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC 4 NEWS) - A six month old boy was taken away from the only parents he's ever known because of a challenge by his birth mother.

Sunday night, members of the Ojibwa Tribe from Minnesota were joined by police as they took the boy from his adoptive home.

For the South Jordan couple who have been his parents, it may be the last time they'll see their baby boy.

Their baby, named "Talon" was brought from their home by Heather and Clint Larson. He was in his car seat and ready to go. They placed him in the back seat of a van, knowing they man never see him again. They adopted him legally right after his birth. But after the adoption was finalized, the birth mother changed her mind. She is less than one-quarter Native American, but that gives the tribe the right to intercede.

Yet, in this case, Talon's mother has been declared unfit to raise her other children... and Talon will likely go into foster care.

Another mother stood with a crowd outside the Larson’s home Sunday night in a show of support. She says she has been through a similar situation with a Native American adoption that fell through. She said, “I feel like its worse than death. When they die you know they're in a safe place. This way you don't know where they're going.

The child was taken away based on the Indian Child welfare Act. It's designed to keep Native American children with Native American families.

The Larsons say they could file a legal appeal, but it would be extremely expensive. They are now coming to terms with letting their child go.