An Afghan family is locked in a legal battle with a U.S. Marine major over the custody of a baby girl they claim was taken from them after a deadly airstrike.
In a heart-wrenching case of international custody, an Afghan family is fighting to regain custody of a baby girl they allege was unlawfully adopted by a U.S. Marine officer after a tragic airstrike in 2019.
The case centers around Major Joshua Mast and his wife Stephanie, who adopted the infant, known as Baby Doe, following the airstrike that killed the child's parents in Afghanistan. However, an Afghan couple, who initially raised the child for 18 months, has filed a lawsuit claiming they were tricked into giving up Baby Doe during the chaotic Afghan withdrawal in 2021.
Afghan Family Fights for Custody of Baby Girl Amid Legal Battle
A military administrative board of inquiry recently substantiated allegations against Mast of misusing a government computer and engaging in conduct unbecoming an officer. However, the board determined that Mast should remain on active duty.
Meanwhile, a civilian appeals court in Virginia ruled against the Masts earlier this year, arguing that the adoption should not have been granted. Baby Doe remains with the Masts pending appeal.
Afghan Family Fights for Custody of Baby Girl Amid Legal Battle
The legal battle has taken an emotional toll on all parties involved. Mast insists he was acting in accordance with the Marine Corps creed, despite being told by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a Virginia federal judge to cease the adoption process.
"We've been through a lot," said Stephanie Mast. "We've been called liars, we've been called human traffickers, we've been called everything under the sun. But we know what we know, and that's the truth."
Afghan Family Fights for Custody of Baby Girl Amid Legal Battle
The Afghan couple, who are now living in the United States, maintain that they were deceived and coerced into signing a document giving custody to the Masts. They argue that their cultural norms and language barriers prevented them from fully understanding the implications of their actions.
"We want our child back," said the Afghan father, who cannot be identified for security reasons. "She is our daughter, and we miss her every day."
The State Department has intervened in the case, demanding that the Virginia court return Baby Doe to her Afghan relatives. The department asserts that the adoption was not legally valid and violated international adoption protocols.
The Marine Corps has stated that it is not involved in the civil litigation and that Mast's case is being handled by the Department of Justice. The outcome of the custody battle remains uncertain as the appeals process continues.
Meanwhile, Baby Doe remains in limbo, caught between two families who both claim to love her dearly. The resolution of this tragic and complex case will have far-reaching implications for international adoption and the rights of children affected by war.
