What happened to the Roe v. Wade baby?

Answer 1

Jane Roe, whose real name is Norma McCorvey, gave birth to a daughter in June 1970, several months after the case was initiated. By the time Roe v. Wade reached the US Supreme Court, the child was almost three years old and living with an anonymous adoptive family.

McCorvey had three children. The first, by her husband Woody McCorvey, was allegedly kidnapped, then later adopted, by Norma's mother when Norma confessed her sexual orientation was either bi- or lesbian.

She got pregnant with a second child sometime in 1965. The child was adopted by the baby's father under the condition that McCorvey never attempt contact.

The Roe baby was the result of her third pregnancy, and was placed for private adoption.

McCorvey, who was homeless and living on the street during her pregnancy, says she lent her name to the case because her circumstances fit a profile the pro-choice lawyers felt was compelling. She claims they approached her about challenging the Texas anti-abortion laws; she didn't contact them. McCorvey said she really had nothing to do with the case: never testified, never appeared in court, and only learned of the Supreme Court ruling sometime after-the-fact.

McCorvey was, however, pro-choice until she converted to Christianity, and was later baptized Catholic. She says she has been "100% pro-life" since August 8, 1995.

Norma McCorvey was arrested in May 2009 at a Notre Dame pro-life rally protesting President Obama's visit to the University.

Case Citation:

Roe v. Wade, 410 US 113 (1973)