A complex legal battle unfolds as a Marine Corps Major fights to maintain custody of a five-year-old girl rescued from an Afghan battlefield in 2019.
According to Just the News, the U.S. State Department has repeatedly intervened in Marine Corps Major Joshua Mast's custody case, pushing for the child known as "Baby L." to be given to an Afghan couple with alleged terrorist connections.
The story began when Army Rangers discovered Baby L., less than two months old at the time, next to her deceased mother during a Special Forces operation against Al Qaeda fighters. The infant had sustained severe injuries, including a fractured hip, skull fracture, and second-degree burns after her mother detonated a suicide vest.
Major Mast, stationed in Afghanistan during the rescue, took immediate action to secure the child's safety and future. He worked diligently with Virginia authorities to obtain a birth certificate and adoption papers for Baby L., ensuring all proper procedures were followed.
The Department of Defense initially supported Mast's efforts, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Derek J. Maurer signing documentation acknowledging Mast's legal custody and the child's status as a DOD dependent. This support, however, would later face opposition from other government agencies.
Military reports indicated that Baby L. likely had Turkmen or Uighur ethnicity, contradicting claims made by various Afghan Pashtuns who attempted to claim relation to the child. DNA tests proved these claims false, highlighting concerns about potential trafficking risks.
The State Department's involvement marked a significant turning point in the case. As stated by the American Freedom Law Center, which represents Mast's brother:
This was driven by the State Department's desire to cut a deal with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. troops and to get rid of the 'problem' of this baby girl interfering with the State Department's negotiations.
The Department transferred Baby L. to the custody of individuals identified as "John Doe" and "Jane Doe" in February 2020, despite previous DOD requirements for DNA testing and terrorist screening. The decision has sparked controversy, particularly given subsequent revelations about John Doe's presence on a terror watchlist.
The Does managed to evacuate to the United States with Baby L. during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Upon arrival at Dulles International Airport, concerning information emerged about John Doe's background, including his admission of Taliban connections.
The Department of Justice has maintained support for the Does' claim, arguing that the United States never authorized Mast's adoption proceedings. This position contradicts earlier DOD documentation supporting Mast's custody rights.
The State Department defended its actions, stating its position has remained consistent since 2019. They maintain that reuniting the child with claimed family members was appropriate despite questions about proper vetting procedures.
This case has broader implications for evacuation protocols, as whistleblower reports indicate that hundreds of individuals on the DOD's watchlist were allowed entry into the United States during the Afghanistan withdrawal. Senators Josh Hawley and Ron Johnson have raised concerns about this security breach.
The custody dispute over Baby L. continues in both federal and state courts, highlighting tensions between military personnel, government agencies, and international policy considerations. Major Joshua Mast and his wife Stephanie maintain custody while fighting legal challenges from the Afghan couple now residing in Texas. The case underscores critical questions about adoption rights, national security protocols, and the complex aftermath of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan, with multiple government agencies taking conflicting positions on the child's future.
