State expected to return infant daughter of 'Oath Keeper'


By CLYNTON NAMUO
Union Leader Correspondent
3 hours, 34 minutes ago

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=State+expected+to+...


DOVER – Johnathan Irish and Stephanie Taylor emerged from a closed family court hearing Thursday afternoon with smiles on their faces and indicated they may be getting back their daughter Cheyenne, whom state officials took from them hours after her birth last week.

Irish said he was instructed to say nothing about the hearing, citing a state confidentiality law, but said: "A picture's worth a thousand words. What's a smile worth?"

All indications were that Irish and Taylor received good news at the hearing..

"I haven't seen you smile in a while," Irish's mother Nancy, who declined to give her last name, said just before embracing her son.

Nancy added: "Justice prevails."

Irish also told her he had to get a car seat ready.

Cheyenne's removal sparked an outcry, despite the states numerous allegations of domestic violence and untreated mental health problems, because of a single line in the affidavit used to justify the newborns taking.

"The division became aware and confirmed that Mr. Irish associated with a militia known as the Oath Keepers and had purchased several different types of weapons including a rifle, handgun and taser," says the confidential, two-page affidavit, which was provided to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

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