Mum a surrogate for own son’s baby

A WOMA N acted as a surrogate mother for a baby whose biological father is her adult son, a family court judge has been told.

The man, who is in his mid-twenties and lives alone, had taken advice from specialist lawyers before “embarking” on the “process of becoming a father”, Mrs Justice Theis heard.

He had looked after the little boy, now seven months old, since birth.

Mrs Justice Theis has ruled that he can adopt.

Detail of the case have emerged in a written ruling by the judge following a family court hearing at the High Court in London.

She said she had never encountered such a surrogacy arrangement before but it was “entirely lawful” and had been entered into after “careful consideration”.

She said her paramount consideration had been the little boy’s “lifelong welfare” and allowing the man to adopt would provide “legal security” and meet the child’s long-term welfare needs.

Mrs Justice Theis said another family member had initially offered to be the surrogate but had to withdraw for medical reasons. The man’s mother — whose age was not revealed in the ruling — had then agreed to step in.

The judge did involved.

“(The baby) has lived with .. his biological father since birth. A ll the reports describe (the man’s) care of (the baby) as being to a high standard,” Mrs JusticeTheis said in her ruling.

“(The baby) was born following a surrogacy arrangement whereby the gestational surrogate was (the man’s) mother. (Her husband) fully supported this.

“This admittedly unusual arrangement was entered into by the parties after careful consideration, following each having individual counselling and with all the treatment being undertaken by a fertility clinic licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology A uthority.”

The judge added: “The papers show that for some considerable time he has wanted to be a father.

“He waited until his circumstances were settled in terms of a job and home to enable him to provide the care a child would need.”

Mrs Justice Theis said a social worker had met everyone involved and had recommended allowing the man to adopt.

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Mrs Justice Theis