Mary Beth Whitehead

Mary Beth Whitehead was a woman involved in a landmark legal case in the 1980s known as the Baby M case. She agreed to be a gestational surrogate mother for a couple, but after giving birth, she decided to keep the baby instead of handing him over to the intended parents. The case highlighted complex issues around surrogacy, parental rights, and ethics. Ultimately, the courts awarded custody of the child to the intended parents, reaffirming legal and ethical standards for surrogacy arrangements. The case remains a significant reference point in discussions about reproductive rights and surrogacy laws.