What happened to Mary Beth whitehead and Melissa stern?

Answer 1

Mary Beth Whitehead gained national attention in the 1980s when she became embroiled in a controversial surrogacy case involving Melissa Stern, the biological daughter of Stern and her husband, William Stern. After giving birth to Melissa in 1986, Whitehead sought to keep the child despite having signed a surrogacy agreement that stated she would relinquish parental rights. The case raised significant legal and ethical questions about surrogacy, custody, and the rights of surrogate mothers, ultimately leading to a landmark ruling that emphasized the importance of parental intent and agreements in surrogacy arrangements. The case has since influenced surrogacy laws and practices in the United States.