Margaret Sees, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Charles K. Baber and Jerri Baber, Defendants-Respondents

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the lower courts, holding that the mother’s parental rights were not terminated because she had not forsaken her obligations, that a private direct surrender does not violate the Adoption Act, and that she is entitled to the immediate return of her child without further hearing. Justice Clifford dissented, arguing for a Sorentino hearing, while Justice Sullivan concurred, critiquing the statutory language.