Washington (CNN) -- A custody battle involving the "best interests" of a 3-year-old Cherokee girl will be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, an issue spanning the rights of adoptive parents and the desire to preserve Native American families within tribes. The justices announced they will hear an appeal from Matt and Melanie Capobianco, who legally adopted little Veronica in 2009, shortly after the birth mother agreed to give up the child. Oral arguments in the case will likely be heard in April with a ruling by late June. The South Carolina Supreme Court in July ruled for the biological father, who had sought custody shortly after the child's birth. He is a registered member of the Cherokee Nation and is raising the child in Oklahoma.
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NEW: S.C. couple says it is happy that the high court will hear their appeal
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Cherokee Indian man won custody of his biological daughter
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S.C. couple's appeal will be heard by high court
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A federal law meant to protect Indian family breakup is key to the case
They were in the room when Veronica was born, and had an "open" adoption, meaning the biological mother could and did maintain a relationship with @placeholder.