The appellant, an unwed mother, placed her newborn child for private adoption with the respondents.
Shortly after, she changed her mind, revoked her consent, and sought custody.
The trial judge and Court of Appeal dismissed her application, finding that the child had bonded with the adoptive parents and that returning the child would not be in his best interests.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that in custody disputes between a natural parent and adoptive parents, the equitable parens patriae jurisdiction applies, making the welfare of the child the paramount consideration over biological ties.
