In Re the Adoption of Redcrow

Two couples filed competing petitions to adopt Darlene Rae Redcrow, about four years old, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe. The district court of Lake County, Hon. E. Gardner Brownlee, district judge, granted an adoption decree to the Meyer couple and the Rhodes couple appeal.

The child involved had previously been removed from the home of her natural parents because of neglect. She was placed in the home of appellants Rhodes for 23 months until November, 1975, when she was returned to the home of her natural parents. Six weeks later State and Tribal…