Arguments in a complicated and wrenching American Indian child adoption case had at least one U.S. Supreme Court justice Tuesday wishing for a modern-day King Solomon.

"Our domestic relations judges all by themselves every day have these difficult problems," said Justice Anthony Kennedy during arguments in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, 12-399. "If we could appoint King Solomon, who was the first domestic relations judge, as special master, we could do it. But we can’t do it."