John Eker III

Bridgens' lawyer, John Eker III, said earlier that Pennsylvania law, like Nebraska's, requires a parent to relinquish rights to a child before an adoption can take place, except in cases involving adoption by a stepparent.Bridgens never relinquished her parental rights.

A message left Tuesday nigh at the office of Bridgens' counsel John Eker was not immediately returned.

Bridgens' attorney, John Eker, said his client was in shock at Tuesday's developments.

Eker has filed a motion to change the venue of the suit to Michigan.In court papers, he has argued that it would be against Joseph's best interests to be returned to Nebraska and placed in Russell's care.

Bridgens' lawyer, John Eker III, said earlier that Pennsylvania law, like Nebraska's, requires a parent to relinquish rights to a child before an adoption can take place, except in cases involving adoption by a stepparent.

Bridgens never relinquished her parental rights.

Bridgens' lawyer, John Eker III, said earlier that Pennsylvania law, like Nebraska's, requires a parent to relinquish rights to a child before an adoption can take place, except in cases involving adoption by a stepparent. Bridgens never relinquished her parental rights.