A father who lost custody of his biological daughter after a controversial Supreme Court ruling is speaking out for the first time since the incident. 

Dusten Brown has remained silent since 2013 when he lost his fight to keep custody of Baby Veronica, the daughter his ex gave up for adoption without his knowledge while he was serving in Iraq.

Now he has come forward to talk about the need for adoption reform.

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Heartbreaking: Dusten Brown is speaking out for the first time since ending his custody battle to get back Baby Veronica (above) in 2013

Heartbreaking: Dusten Brown is speaking out for the first time since ending his custody battle to get back Baby Veronica (above) in 2013

Other parents: Baby Veronica currently lives with her adoptive parents Matt and Melanie Capobianco (above)

Other parents: Baby Veronica currently lives with her adoptive parents Matt and Melanie Capobianco (above)

Brown, who recently welcomed a baby boy with his wife Robin, said in a statement; 'Nothing will ever replace her presence in our home. Veronica has a new little brother that we hope she will meet one day and have a relationship with.'

A Cherokee Nation citizen, Brown had used the Indian Child Welfare Act to try to regain custody of Veronica.

Brown also commented on a proposed federal regulation set to end adoption disputes like the one he went through with Veronica, 

'Hopefully, these regulations keep other Indian children, families and tribes from suffering the heartbreak that we experienced over the last five and a half years,' said Brown according to Tulsa World.

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Brown had never met his daughter before picking her up in his truck in December 2011, and had even told the girl's biological mother that he did not want her.

But after finding out the woman, who is not a Native American, had given the girl up for adoption, he invoked the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, which gives American Indian parents preference in custody disputes.

He won custody of the girl and her adoptive parents, South Carolina couple Matt and Melanie Capobianco, had not seen her in a year as he had refused to allow them to contact her.

Touching: Brown, who recently welcomed a baby boy with wife Robin (above with Veronica and Brown) said of his daughter: 'I miss you more than words can express'

Touching: Brown, who recently welcomed a baby boy with wife Robin (above with Veronica and Brown) said of his daughter: 'I miss you more than words can express'

Speaking out: A member of Cherokee Nation, Brown (above with Robin and his lawyers in 2013)also spoke of the need for adoption reform and importance of the Indian Child Welfare Act

Speaking out: A member of Cherokee Nation, Brown (above with Robin and his lawyers in 2013)also spoke of the need for adoption reform and importance of the Indian Child Welfare Act

The Capobiancos then fought to win back their daughter, Veronica, and in turn, battle the controversial federal law that has taken her away.

The girl was ultimately handed back over to the Capobiancos after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled it would not intervene in the case.

The court lifted a stay it had imposed that had kept Veronica in Oklahoma where she has lived for two years at that point while her father fought the adoption.

That ruling also removed a legal roadblock to an earlier court order in August that she be sent back to South Carolina. 

Two years later, her father is still feeling the pain of losing her.

'Veronica, again I say to you, my home will always be your home,' said Brown. 

'I miss you more than words can express.' 

 

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