Custody dispute hinges on tribal court decision

TRAVERSE CITY — Three Traverse City children are stuck in the center of a custody dispute — a complex web that pulls together the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians tribal code and two non-native families.

Everyone agrees they want what's best for the kids — ages 13, 12 and 10 — but "best" is a matter of opinion.

Tim and Anne Donn want to adopt their three foster children. The children's birth mother, Autumn McDonald, wants the Grand Traverse Band's Tribal Court to reinstate her parental rights. Chris Keehler, the children's biological grandmother, has had the siblings' rooms ready and waiting for them at her Missouri home since 2012.

http://www.record-eagle.com/news/lifestyles/custody-dispute-hinges-on-tribal-court-decision/article_cd2fc5f2-8f49-53ec-b608-3d3b5475ec47.html