18-years-old Greenlandic mother wins child custody appeal against authorities

An 18-year-old Greenlandic woman has won her appeal to regain custody of her infant daughter, who was taken by Danish social authorities just one hour after birth in November 2024, a case that has intensified tensions between Denmark and its vast Arctic territory.

Ivana Bronlund’s child was placed into foster care on August 11th following a parenting evaluation that local officials later admitted was flawed. 

The decision sparked a national controversy in Denmark, highlighting the sensitive and often fraught relationship with Greenland.

The Danish National Appeals Board announced: “The Danish National Appeals Board is reversing the decision,” while mentioning the privacy of those involved. 

The ruling delivers a significant victory to Bronlund, who had been publicly fighting for her daughter for months.

“My heart is whole again,” Bronlund posted on Instagram following the announcement.

The case quickly became a flashpoint in the complex dynamic between Denmark and Greenland, a semi-autonomous overseas territory that Denmark colonized over 300 years ago.

Resentment over the colonial past and subsequent discrimination remains a potent issue for many Greenlanders.

A spokeswoman for the appeals board said: “Due to the sensitive nature of family law proceedings, we cannot comment on the specific details of the board’s reasoning.”

The custody battle unfolded against a highly charged political backdrop, as Denmark recently faced intense pressure from the United States, under President Donald Trump, to discuss the sale of Greenland.

The local municipality outside Copenhagen where Bronlund lives had initially justified the removal of the child, but later acknowledged deficiencies in its assessment process.

The appeals board’s ruling is final, and arrangements for the immediate return of the child to Bronlund are now underway.