It sounds like a movie script. A tiny baby survives a hellish midnight raid in rural Afghanistan. She's pulled from the smoking rubble of a compound by U.S. Special Operations forces, the lone survivor of a family wiped out in an instant. Then comes the American officer who decides to save her.
But the real-life story of the marine maj joshua mast adoption is far messier than any Hollywood redemption arc. Honestly, it’s become one of the most legally convoluted and ethically charged cases in the history of the U.S. military. Depending on who you ask, Joshua Mast is either a Christian savior or a high-ranking kidnapper who used the chaos of a collapsing country to snatch a child.
The Midnight Raid and the "Stateless" Infant
Let’s go back to September 2019. During a joint U.S.-Afghan raid, a two-month-old girl was found with a fractured skull, a broken leg, and severe burns. Her parents and five siblings were dead. Mast, then a Captain and military lawyer, was on a short stint in Afghanistan when he encountered the infant at a military hospital.
He became convinced she was the daughter of "foreign fighters"—terrorists. Because of this, he argued she was "stateless."
While the baby was still in Afghanistan being treated, Mast and his wife, Stephanie, went to a local court in Fluvanna County, Virginia. You read that right. They petitioned for adoption from 7,000 miles away. They told the Virginia judge that the Afghan government was ready to waive jurisdiction.
The problem? They didn't.
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The Afghan government, the Red Cross, and the U.S. State Department were actually working to find her relatives. And they did find them. An uncle and a cousin were ready to take her.
Two Years of "Help"
For nearly two years, the baby lived with her Afghan relatives. They named her. They raised her. They bonded.
During this time, Mast stayed in touch. He reportedly offered the family medical help and eventually visas to come to the United States. He called the Afghan cousin "brother."
But when the family landed at Fort Pickett in Virginia during the 2021 evacuation, the vibe changed instantly. Mast showed up with his adoption papers. He had a passport for the child with a new American name.
The Afghan couple was stunned. They say Mast shoved the cousin and walked out with the child. They haven't seen her since.
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What the Courts are Saying Now
The legal fallout has been absolute chaos. In 2024, the Virginia Court of Appeals officially voided the marine maj joshua mast adoption. The judges didn't mince words. They ruled that the original adoption should never have happened because the local court lacked jurisdiction and Mast had misrepresented the facts.
Basically, you can’t just adopt a child who has a family and a country that hasn't given her up.
As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the case is tied up in the Virginia Supreme Court. While the adoption was voided, a separate custody order has kept the girl—now a young child who speaks English and knows only the Masts—in their home.
The U.S. Department of Justice has even stepped in. They’ve called the situation "abduction" in court filings, arguing that Mast’s actions have damaged U.S. foreign relations.
The Military’s Surprising Stance
You might think the Marine Corps would have kicked him out by now. They didn't.
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In late 2024, a military board of inquiry at Camp Lejeune looked into Mast’s conduct. They found he had indeed acted in a way "unbecoming of an officer." They substantiated that he misused government computers and disregarded orders.
Yet, they decided he should stay in the service. He remains on active duty.
Why This Case Still Matters
This isn't just a "he said, she said" custody battle. It touches on the "White Savior" complex, the limits of military power, and the rights of refugees.
The Masts maintain they are protecting a child from a life of potential "terrorism" or poverty. They see themselves as her legal and moral parents. The Afghan family sees a powerful man who used a uniform and a badge to steal their daughter.
What to watch for next:
- The Virginia Supreme Court Ruling: This is the big one. If they uphold the lower court’s decision to void the adoption, the Masts lose their legal footing entirely.
- The Federal Tort Lawsuit: The Afghan couple is suing the Masts for millions in damages, alleging fraud and conspiracy. This case is currently moving forward in federal court.
- Custody vs. Adoption: Even if the adoption is gone, the "best interests of the child" standard might be used to keep her with the only family she remembers, which is a heartbreaking reality for the biological relatives.
If you’re following this story, the best thing to do is look at the primary court documents rather than social media spin. The "Baby Doe" filings in the Fourth Circuit and the Virginia Court of Appeals offer the most factual, unvarnished look at how this unprecedented legal disaster happened.