Surrogate Custody Fight Goes to Court

Attorneys for surrogate mother Anna L. Johnson and the infertile couple who hired her to carry and deliver their baby face a courtroom showdown today because they cannot agree on a temporary custody arrangement for the boy born Wednesday.

Johnson was prepared to agree to “shared parenting,” in which she would allow full visitation to Mark and Crispina Calvert, said the surrogate’s lawyer, Richard C. Gilbert. But the couple said they would rather see the baby in a foster home.

Gilbert said he hopes divine intervention will help Superior Court Judge Richard N. Parslow Jr. decide to let Johnson keep the infant for the time being.