Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Galveston, Inc. v. Harper

The precise question raised here has not been previously decided in this State. It is whether or not parents having surrendered their child to a child-placing agency licensed by the State Department of Public Welfare and having consented in writing for that agency to place the child for adoption, may, as a matter of right or law revoke that consent.

The respondent, Judith Ann Harper, was on July 17, 1958, a widow and the mother of two young children. On that date she executed and delivered to Catholic Charities a written instrument duly acknowledged, surrendering and transferring the care,…