STORY OF THE WEEK: Baby Tamia

Infant now with mom

The Salt Lake Tribune

Baby Tamia -- the child at the center of an interstate custody battle -- was reunited with her mother in Chicago on Thursday night, four months after being given up for adoption in Utah.

The baby's return was ordered by an Illinois judge who found the adoption violated federal law because his state was not notified in advance of the placement.

Carmen McDonald, 20, sued Midvale-based A Cherished Child adoption agency in January, claiming the agency took advantage of her emotional and financial vulnerability and coerced her into relinquishing the baby. She was joined in the lawsuit by her mother, Maria McDonald.

The custody battle persisted until last week, when A Cherished Child revoked the adoption after the prospective Utah adoptive parents were arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Murphy on Wednesday ordered that the baby be turned over to the Illinois Division of Child and Family Services, which is placing the baby with the McDonalds.