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Native American Infant, Protestant Home for Babies (Louisiana Adoption)

  • BETH
  • Feb 8, 2018
  • 1 min read

Updated: Jul 19, 2022


Baby Quince American Indian Adoption

Undated photo of a Native American, "Baby Boy Quince," at the Protestant Home for Babies in New Orleans, Louisiana. (The language in this is atrocious.)


"Needs a Home - Seven-month-old Quince, a full-blooded American Indian and a resident of the Protestant Home for Babies in New Orleans, can't seem to get adopted. Miss Sally Matlock, executive director of the home, holds the tot for a news cameraman in hopes that publicity may find the boy a home."


The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 gave preference to adoption solutions that would keep Native children within the tribal community.


In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court is deciding a dispute over Native American adoption law, the plaintiffs said the statute racially discriminates against non-Native Americans, violating the Constitution's Fifth Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law, and that it unconstitutionally directs the actions of state agencies in adoption matters. A federal judge ruled favor of the challengers on both claims in 2018. The case is due to be heard during the court's next term, which begins in October, with a ruling due by June 2023.



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​© 2022 E. Ritland

Please note that Protestant Home for Babies, in New Orleans, LA is no longer in operation. All records have been turned over to the state of Louisiana and are in Baton Rouge. This is a personal site.

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