Warrant dropped for Dusten Brown, father of baby Veronica

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- South Carolina officials said they have dropped an extradition warrant for the father of baby Veronica, who has been the center of a custody battle for years.

Gov. Nikki Haley sent a letter to Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin to withdraw the request.

"It is my hope this legal matter will be closed," Fallin said, "and that all parties -- especially Veronica -- can find peace and stability in their lives."

The biological father, Dusten Brown, faces a charge of custodial interference for allegedly not giving the 4-year-old back to her adoptive parents in early August, when South Carolina courts ordered a change in custody.

Matt and Melanie Capobianco later took custody of Veronica, the Tulsa World reported.

"Brown ultimately complied with the orders of the South Carolina courts," Haley said in her letter to Fallin.

Brown could still be arrested if he visits South Carolina, and the state could renew its extradition request.

The Capobiancos arranged for a private adoption with Brown's ex-fiancee in 2009 after Brown initially rejected the child in text messages to the expectant mother.

Brown, a Cherokee, sued for custody under the Indian Child Welfare Act, which is meant to keep Native American children with their tribes, and won custody in 2011. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Brown had given up his rights to the child before the adoption.

The Capobiancos regained legal custody over the summer.