Governor's office 'surprised' by release of bio-dad in 'Baby Veronica' case

The decision by a Sequoyah County judge to release Dusten Brown, the biological father of the girl popularly known as "Baby Veronica," surprised Governor Mary Fallin, who had signed an extradition order sending him back to South Carolina to face charges of custodial interference.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart told KRMG Thursday he was surprised by the decision to release Brown on bond, and contacted the Governor's office to voice his objections.

But Alex Weintz, Dir. of Communications for the Governor, tells KRMG Gov. Fallin did all she could do by signing the extradition order, and it's now in the hands of the courts.

He did admit they were surprised by the judge's decision to release Brown and schedule a hearing for October 3.

"We were surprised," Weintz said. "Usually, extradition orders are routine and when the Governor issues one generally the person that she's extraditing is arrested and extradited."

Indeed, he says, that almost always happens within 24 hours.

"It was an extremely unusual decision made by the judge, but we recognize that it is an unusual case," he added.