Tribal Police, Court Enter Local DisputeA custody dispute has drawn the attention of the Potawatomi tribal court in Michigan.
Court documents concerning the case in Kosciusko Circuit Court have been sealed. Judge Duane Huffer presided as special judge in the case.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department confirms that county police and court officials have had dealings with tribal police and tribal court officials from the Pokagon band of Potawatomi, based in Dowagiac, Mich.
At issue is a custody dispute between a former married couple from Milford.
At a hearing Wednesday, the local court decided to allow a tribal police officer to pick up a 12-year-old from Milford Middle School and transport the student to her mother.
The mother disputes the custody arrangement ordered during court proceedings in Kosciusko County.
The mother, who is reportedly part Potawatomi Indian, approached the tribal courts and sought assistance in the case.
A court order by the Potawatomi tribal court granted custody to the mother, police said.
KCSD Sheriff Rocky Goshert said that despite the actions by the tribal courts and police, his department still has jurisdiction with regard to any violations of local laws.
