In the Matter of Creed

Petitioners appeal by leave granted an order of the Genesee County Probate Court denying their request to inspect certain adoption records.

There is little disagreement about the facts in this case. Petitioners are husband and wife. In 1958, the female petitioner was raped by a black male. Neither she nor her husband, who were both white, reported the incident to authorities. However, soon thereafter it was learned that she was pregnant. On November 9, 1958, she gave birth to a black male child. After describing the circumstances surrounding the conception to hospital authorities, petitioners…