Womb to Let

It’s the kind of story that makes Phil Donahue’s mouth water. It’s a tale of sex and money, love and greed, eager hope and cruel betrayal. It’s the stuff of soap operas, cheap tabloids, and pulp fiction: On March 27, Baby M turned one year old.

Everyone knows by now the outline of Baby M’s story. For $10,000, Mary Beth Whitehead agreed to bear a child and give her to Bill Stern and his wife. After Baby M was born, Mary Beth changed her mind. She refused the ten grand and kept Baby M for four months, fleeing to Florida after a New Jersey court granted the Sterns temporary custody.

About the Author

Maggie Gallagher

Maggie Gallagher is the author of four books on marriage and is a longtime contributor to National Review.

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It’s the kind of story that makes Phil Donahue’s mouth water. It’s a tale of sex and money, love and greed, eager hope and cruel betrayal. It’s the stuff of soap operas, cheap tabloids, and pulp fiction: On March 27, Baby M turned one year old.

Everyone knows by now the outline of Baby M’s story. For $10,000, Mary Beth Whitehead agreed to bear a child and give her to Bill Stern and his wife. After Baby M was born, Mary Beth changed her mind. She refused the ten grand and kept Baby M for four months, fleeing to Florida after a New Jersey court granted the Sterns temporary custody.