Mitchell v. Pincock

DONALDSON, Justice.

Marilyn Mitchell (petitioner-appellant), an unmarried woman, gave birth to Christopher Mitchell on November 30, 1971 in La Mesa, California. Unsure if she wanted the baby, she signed a release allowing Lois Pincock (defendant-respondent) and her husband to take Christopher home from the hospital. About three months later, the Pincocks wanted to adopt Christopher, but Mitchell refused her consent. She demanded the baby be returned and the Pincocks instituted guardianship proceedings in California Superior Court. Legal proceedings have been continuous ever since.

The Superior…