Mormon church attorneys argue that a lawsuit accusing religious officials of not doing enough to protect four Navajo children from sexual abuse in a now defunct church-run foster program belongs in federal court because the alleged incidents occurred off tribal land.
U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby heard nearly three hours of arguments Monday about whether to keep the case in tribal court, but said he'll issue a ruling at a later date.
The alleged victims say they were sexually abused between the 1960s and early '80s while in a program in which thousands of Navajos participated.
Attorneys for the victims and a lawyer for the Navajo Nation say the case should remain in tribal court to respect tribal sovereignty and because decisions about family placement occurred on tribal land.