Mitt Romney Pressured Single Mother To Give Up Baby For Adoption While He Was A Mormon Bishop, New Book Claims

An upcoming book about Mitt Romney claims that the GOP presidential candidate, then a Mormon Bishop, once pressured a woman to give her unborn baby up for adoption.

Michael Kranish and Scott Helman, adapting portions of their book The Real Romney for this month's issue of Vanity Fair, recount the 1983 pregnancy saga of Peggie Hayes. According to the book, Hayes was a single mother raising a young daughter at the time. Romney was her church leader and helped set up the 23-year-old nurse's aide with what the authors describe as "odd jobs for other church members." Hayes recalled that Romney "was really good to us. He did a lot for us."

When Hayes became pregnant that year, Romney sat down with her and "said something about the church's adoption agency." Hayes, who recalled that she "wanted to" have the second child, eventually came to the realization that Romney "was urging her to give up her soon-to-be-born son for adoption, saying that was what the church wanted." More from Vanity Fair:

Hayes was deeply insulted. She told him she would never surrender her child. Sure, her life wasn't exactly the picture of Rockwellian harmony, but she felt she was on a path to stability. In that moment, she also felt intimidated. Here was Romney, who held great power as her church leader and was the head of a wealthy, prominent Belmont family, sitting in her gritty apartment making grave demands. "And then he says, 'Well, this is what the church wants you to do, and if you don't, then you could be excommunicated for failing to follow the leadership of the church,'" Hayes recalled. It was a serious threat. At that point Hayes still valued her place within the Mormon Church. "This is not playing around," she said. "This is not like 'You don't get to take Communion.' This is like 'You will not be saved. You will never see the face of God.'" Romney would later deny that he had threatened Hayes with excommunication, but Hayes said his message was crystal clear: "Give up your son or give up your God."

Hayes eventually decided to have the baby, but when she did give birth to her son Dane, he had health problems that required surgery:

Looking past their uncomfortable conversation before Dane's birth, she called Romney and asked him to come to the hospital to confer a blessing on her baby. Hayes was expecting him. Instead, two people she didn't know showed up. She was crushed. "I needed him," she said. "It was very significant that he didn't come." Sitting there in the hospital, Hayes decided she was finished with the Mormon Church.

The book goes on to explain that Romney "acknowledged having counseled Mormon women not to have abortions except in exceptional cases, in accordance with church rules," while he served in a leadership capacity in the church.

The Peggie Hayes story adds to the GOP contender's already complicated history involving women's reproductive issues.

While challenging Ted Kennedy in a 1994 U.S. Senate race, "Romney said he believed that abortion should be 'safe and legal' and that Roe v. Wade should stand. He added, 'And my personal beliefs, like the personal beliefs of other people, should not be brought into a political campaign.'"

As HuffPost's Laura Bassett reports, Romney in 2002 "sought the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts by filling out a questionnaire that made his continued support clear." In addition, he "pledged his support for Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that protects women's choice, for laws protecting the safety of abortion clinics, for increased access to the morning-after pill and for late-term abortions when the mother's health is at risk. Romney also indicated on the form that he supported the 'state funding of abortion services through Medicaid for low-income women.'"

Romney has since changed course on abortion. Bassett recently reported on an ad released by Newt Gingrich's campaign that attacked Romney as "pro-abortion." The story clarifies Romney's current position:

To be clear, Romney is not, as the Gingrich ad accuses, "pro-abortion" or even pro-contraception. He supports overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that protects a woman's right to have an abortion before the fetus is viable outside the womb. And although he attended Planned Parenthood fund-raisers and supported taxpayer funding for abortion before changing his stance in 2005, Romney now says he would eliminate the Title X family planning program, which funds Planned Parenthood and provides affordable contraception and other basic medical care to millions of uninsured and low-income women.

Comments

[cherielynnae]

08:23 PM on 10/05/2012

Let me say that although this article can appear damaging about the council received to this woman about giving up her son, I must say, beng LDS, that in her circumstances, LDS adpotion are open and most likely good advice for this woman unprepared for raising a family, with already one child, and no stable income. But I'm absolutly certian the conversation about ex communication did NOT come as a result of her decision to not heed that council, but from breaking the laws of chasity and becoming pregnant again as an unwed mother. Her choice there does hold ramifications within the ordinaces of the church. Just as adultry would. When she chose to make that mistake freely, knwoing it was wrong in the guidleine of the church, she is faced with its concequences as in all decisions we make in life.

She refused his council and then challenges Romney, who did in fact abide her request and send Elders in authority to give her and her baby blessings of healing, but because he didnt show himself, she condemns him? Could it be he was busy and couldnt make it, had a sick child of his own, family obligations, or running a state? Regardless, Fact is HE DID NOT ignore her. Her issues with Romney are VOID in my opinion. Coming out of the closet to complain now, just proves my point. He helped her all along as she refused his council and guidence, knowing she was in the wrong.

[Dr Surf]

05:39 PM on 08/23/2012

Few have spoken about the "Not so subtle," pressure placed onto family members who disagree with Mormon teachings or make decisions contrary to the wishes of church elders. A close friend was "excommunicated," by his family and the Mormon Church after he refused to be tithed and chose to occasionally drink alcohol and dated outside the church. He related that being followed and harassed is not uncommon; an experience he shared with other excommunicated members .

[cherielynnae]

08:35 PM on 10/05/2012

The Church lives by standards, and the public tends to ridicule Mormons who don’t. Those who are not living by the standards of good health, mentally, physically and spiritually, by Gods commandments are counseled. If they continue to make those choices, then they face the consequences of those choices, of which they are well aware of. They are always welcomed back into the church when they feel they can change their ways and live a cleaner lifestyle. Of course our loved ones are always looked after and we will always try to help them change their bad habits in for good ones. The consequences of these decisions can cause great chaos in ones life, as we all know. It is why people of the church are encouraged not to just disregard those we love and care about, regardless of their decisions. Sometimes setting the example of being the strength to help other is all they need, I myself had phone calls from friends of mine, released from sober living homes or rehab hospitals, because I was the only person they knew who did not drink, do drugs and had a safe home for them to continue in recovery to strengthen in , and I welcomed my friends in that journey and continued to help them until they were able to stand on their own, with no pressure of joining my church as an agenda. Some did, some didn’t, but they all found God, and it helped them all.

[Mary Kreutz]

09:32 PM on 10/24/2012

Your reply scared me more about the Mormon Church than I had ever thought. I've never had that fear. I've never thought that the church could hold that much power over its members. Now, I am afraid.

[Lost Rights]

10:36 AM on 04/25/2012

Here is the link someone asked for. http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2012/02/mitt-romney-201202
Romney tells her to give up her out of wedlock baby, or face excommunication.
"But Romney’s intent became apparent: he was urging her to give up her soon-to-be-born son for adoption, saying that was what the church wanted. Indeed, the church encourages adoption in cases where “a successful marriage is unlikely.”

Hayes was deeply insulted. She told him she would never surrender her child. Sure, her life wasn’t exactly the picture of Rockwellian harmony, but she felt she was on a path to stability. In that moment, she also felt intimidated. Here was Romney, who held great power as her church leader and was the head of a wealthy, prominent Belmont family, sitting in her gritty apartment making grave demands. “And then he says, ‘Well, this is what the church wants you to do, and if you don’t, then you could be excommunicated for failing to follow the leadership of the church,’ ” Hayes recalled. It was a serious threat. At that point Hayes still valued her place within the Mormon Church. “This is not playing around,” she said. ’ This is like ‘You will not be saved. You will never see the face of God.’ ” Romney would later deny that he had threatened Hayes with excommunication, but Hayes said his message was crystal clear: “Give up your son or give up your God.”

[cherielynnae]

08:44 PM on 10/05/2012

and I bet Mr Romney , as her church leader, made sure she had everything she needed, food and even probably paid for her apartment and utilities, trying to get her stable with jobs within the church members, as she was not stable to begin with.
Ex-communication doesn’t come from not giving her baby up, but having sex outside of marriage, not once, but twice, while the church is supporting her. Those decisions she knew very well about. The consequences she faced by her own choice. And who should pay for that? The Church, or its many members who each week, or month gives to support her? The State, your taxes. The babies fathers? Get the point?

She will always be welcomed back when she takes the lessons she learned and applies them to her life, and if she comes back, nothing changes; she can be re baptized, made clean again. and supported by all those who she knows in the CHURCH. And most of all SHE KNOWS THIS and hopefully the rest of the world will understand it too. Instead of condemning Romney foolishly.
,

[Lost Rights]

08:49 AM on 10/07/2012

Hyprocrite, mormon is a cult, as are most religions. Read it out of a hat, twice and not the same. Stupid.

[blood1]

01:46 PM on 04/16/2012

Mormon ladies used to visit parishioner's homes - unannounced. One day (back in the 50's) they came to my home. I was playing gin rummy with my mom. She was drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette. So I was a sinner for playing cards and my mom was even worse. They essentially threatened us that the "church" would be watching.

I had a choice: either my mom or religion. I chose my mom - and she eventually quit smoking. When a group of ladies essentially came uninvited to my home and threatened us was a step way past the boundary of acceptable, even to a kid like me. I quit the church!

So, to say that the Mormon church doesn't try to rule your every waking moment is a lie. Romney is like every other Mormon church elder: they go to great pains to mess with your business/finances and make a profit off you 6 days a week and then on the 7th day -put on the "holier than thou" attitude" and ignore their previous 6 days of behavior. NFW!

[cherielynnae]

08:53 PM on 10/05/2012

Sixty years ago and you post it here? Seriously? They came to check in and make sure you or your mom, were invited to events, and see if you had any needs they could help with. That’s what the Relief Society of Women do in the LDS church, and today they always call or send an email and set up a time to come over. They are the caregivers. No one is perfect here, but we try to be. If someone said something to offend you or your Mom, you should have called the bishop. If you didn’t want them to stop by, tell your bishop. That’s all you had to do.
Glad your Mom quit smoking, and I hope it didnt endanger your health too.

[Mary Kreutz]

09:38 PM on 10/24/2012

You are scaring me more about the church being a cult. This sounds so robotic and so frightening. This happened to this woman when she was a child. As a child, she knew that what was happening was wrong. You are advising her about something that happened when she was a child and telling her that she should have called the bishop? As a child, she was scared, torn by her love for her church and the feeling that she needed to chose between that love and her mother. You're suggesting that she should have called the bishop and basically reported her mother. Are you listening to what happened. Yes, it was 60 years ago and it left that big of an impression.

[kaddison2001]

05:06 PM on 02/01/2012

So what!! That is news?? People make suggestions like this to poor, rich, young, ect girls all the time. Sometimes the girl makes the decision to give the baby up for adoption based on those suggestions BUT the decision is still hers. Many times there are regrets and like most situations people always blame someone else. I told a young girl last year she should consider giving her baby up for adoption. She kept the baby and is living in a home for girls with the baby. She had the baby but the baby is still a ward of the state. So the baby has its biological mother for now....what is next for this child. No way will this girl be able to provide or care for this beautiful baby girl. Her violent behavior will come out again and the state is just waiting and then she will be bounced around in foster care. Can't imagine a book on being interesting enough to read if the topic is Romney talks a girl into giving her baby away..........get over it!!

[Highway90]

08:45 AM on 08/31/2012

I think you need to brush up on your reading skills Kaddison. There's a huge difference between "talking into" giving up a baby and excommunication unless you give up the baby. But then again, I think you really knew that.

[terry252]

12:48 PM on 10/15/2012

Are you getting paid by the Romney for President campaign fund?

[kaddison2001]

01:25 PM on 10/15/2012

I'm getting paid the same amount you are getting paid by the obama campaign......A BIG ZERO!

[Cat Turd]

09:47 PM on 01/31/2012

This stuff just keeps on getting better.

[Jacqueline Homan]

12:44 AM on 01/18/2012

If anyone thinks that adoption is the answer to poor single mothers and unwanted pregnancies is forcing women and girls to endure pregnancy and childbirth against their will at peril to our health, wellbeing, liberty and lives, you might want to read this book by Ann Fessler, "The Girls Who Went Away", which gives a shocking first-time exposure into the Baby Scoop era of 1940 - 1973.

Ann Fessler, a professor of photography at Rhode Island School of Design, chronicles the cruelty of preserving a middle-class facade at the expense of these young women's emotional and mental health. Shunned, shamed, and humiliated, many never told anyone the painful secret they bore until Fessler invited them to talk about it. Her interviews with more than 100 "girls who went away" show what it felt like to be despised for being mothers, and what it cost to carry on as though their babies had never been born. Required to live a lie, many of these women still wrestle with guilt.

Reproductive chattel slavery rationalized by "the sanctity of life" for the benefit of rich white males at the expense of women's most fundamental human rights over our own bodies is NOT ethical or moral, I don't care how you want to spin it.

[centerprise]

03:05 PM on 02/16/2012

You seemed to miss the part in this article where the woman in question wanted to have and keep the child. Please, pay attention.

[travlindr]

05:14 PM on 08/23/2012

No, I think Homan's point is that the women involved in Fessler's chronicle were not given the opportunity to keep the child, even if they wanted to. Women are not just incubators. They should have choice. A woman basically puts her life on the line during a pregnancy, and the Repugs dare to want to tell her that if she does not want to carry the child to term, or if she has a life-threatening medical condition, she still has to put her life on the line (result, both she and the non-viable fetus die) OR if she decides to carry the child to term, SHE CANNOT RAISE IT BY HERSELF, she has to give it away. This spells male domination of the worst kind.

[centerprise]

03:30 PM on 08/24/2012

A follow-up on the facts is that this woman DID NOT give her child up for adoption. I recently saw a photo of this woman with her now-grown son. So no one MADE her do anything as alleged.

The LDS church has a strict moral code. No sex outside of marriage. When this woman became pregnant out of wedlock, it was obvious she had violated the church's moral code. This is considered serious sin by Mormons so naturally her clergyman would have gotten involved in counseling her. In advising her to give the child up for adoption, the only consideration was what would be in the best interests for her and/or the child in the long run. But obviously they couldn't MAKE her do it because, in the end, she didn't.

If there was any talk of possible excommunication, it was not because she refused to give the child up for adoption, as she alleges, but because she had broken the moral law of the church by becoming pregnant out of wedlock in the first place.

On another note, the woman alleges that when the baby became sick in the hospital, she called then 'Bishop Romney' to come give the child a blessing, and seemed offended by the fact that two other elders came. This woman takes so much exception to the fact that she could not manipulate one individual as she desired, that it has been overlooked that her call WAS answered, the baby WAS blessed.

[ajf7279]

06:57 PM on 08/23/2012

As a woman who has placed a child into adoption as a teen, I would never EVER in a million years ask the same of any woman against her will.

Giving up a child is a game-changer. It's a life-altering choice that can only be made by the mother and the mother alone. I literally cringe when I hear people suggest "oh, she could always choose adoption.", as if it's that easy. A mother who has to be pressured into that choice should not be making that choice. She should either parent or have an abortion.

[cherielynnae]

09:05 PM on 10/05/2012

Ever gone to a free clinic? when a girl is found to be pregnant , at any age, all her options are discussed with her by a social worker and counseler. The Clinic will help her make those decision with referrals as she deems them, but face it any teen being told they are pregnant are in shock, and millions of things rush throuigh their heads, and its hard to accept... you need help in many wasy, especially if you are not married. As Christians, it is always hoped for the mother to get the support she needs to raise the baby, if not, to allow a couple who can, give them the opportunity to give the child what it needs, and pray it all turns out for the best on both sides. No woman ever forgets a pregnancy, but her decisions should be encouraged for whats best for the child and her.

[Eris23Skidoo]

09:41 PM on 01/17/2012

Romney doesn't think his personal beliefs should be a subject in a political campaign? Really? So if we don't know what his beliefs are how are we supposed to pick a president? Who has the best hair?

[cherielynnae]

09:07 PM on 10/05/2012

do you homework? read his website. try and understand his faith, because he basically is a very open book, unlike Obama. But he does have great hair huh?

[joejoegolfn]

08:03 PM on 01/13/2012

I can see him advising her to give the baby up for adoption instead of abortion. That'sbetter than the liberals wanting to kill the baby

[porphguy]

09:44 AM on 01/14/2012

Don't you see? WHO was the father???? That is the point. There are little Romney's running all over Utah. The Romney's aren't just "Mormons", they are POWERFUL Mormons...like being related to a Bishop in the Catholic Church. A few "Mormon facts"

They believe Jesus and Satan are Brothers.
They believe we all can be equal to God by being a good Mormon. If you do, you will be given a planet to rule. One for every wife you have. You then will be a God. Equal to Jehova.

The real story of Joseph Smith is so obviously the story of a con artist that it begs the question...was polygamy the main "draw" to early members of the cult? Was it a freemason type organization (how many poor Mormons have you ever seen?).
Romney has over 40 BILLIONAIRES contributing to his campaign. Gee...wonder why? Are they expecting something in return? If you have to ask you don't deserve to vote.

RON PAUL- the only hope for the Republic-

[joejoegolfn]

06:53 PM on 01/14/2012

That is why drugs are illegal and will stay that way. Have you thought of getting help?

[ESerafina42]

01:36 PM on 01/14/2012

"Hayes was deeply insulted. She told him she would never surrender her child."
___

Uh, sounds like she already had the baby and wanted to keep it.

[Eris23Skidoo]

09:46 PM on 01/17/2012

I think she was pregnant at the time and he had visited her at her apartment to make sure nobody found out it was his.

[TrevorJohnAdams]

05:56 PM on 01/13/2012

I will like Romney more if this is true.

[Eris23Skidoo]

09:47 PM on 01/17/2012

He was trying to pressure her into giving it up for adoption instead of keeping it and raising it herself. She wasn't considering abortion.

[cwebster]

02:32 AM on 01/18/2012

Because he tried to pressure a single mom into giving up a baby she wanted to keep? Classy...not.

[willandjansdad]

01:22 PM on 01/13/2012

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

Can't be the GOP nominee without answering that question.

[Edbeason]

01:02 PM on 01/13/2012

Women in this country alone can ensure that this used car salesman will never get a chance to appoint a Supreme Court justice, by coming out to vote with the understanding of how he feels on this important issue for many of them, and their daughters. Again, some middle aged guy should not be telling women what to do with their bodies in my view.

[cherielynnae]

09:11 PM on 10/05/2012

But God can....

[tutorfortheneedy]

11:17 AM on 01/13/2012

The Mormon religion was started by a known con artist who used to make money with a seeing stone to find treasure. It's hard to believe it has such a fervent following.

[Non Mormon]

11:58 AM on 01/13/2012

this is normal here in utah

[HumbleTruth]

06:43 PM on 01/13/2012

Why a fervent following? That's a good question? Although I disagree that Joseph Smith is a con artist. I believe it comes from sincere desire to know and follow truths.

[cris robin]

09:35 AM on 01/13/2012

Romney would deny the poor the right to have a family ..

[HumbleTruth]

06:45 PM on 01/13/2012

He loves his family and wants others to enjoy what he has, so reason says he would want anyone - poor or rich, black or white, religious or non-religious to have a family.

[cris robin]

12:39 PM on 01/14/2012

I see you didn't read the story ..

[Eris23Skidoo]

09:48 PM on 01/17/2012

What makes you so sure he wants others to enjoy what he has?

[plzchuteme]

09:13 AM on 01/13/2012

Supposing there is a God, and that there is an afterlife comprising of one desirable, and one less than desirable place. What makes Mitt Romney or any other church officers think that they have any say in, or can make decisions about who goes where? What is more baffling is why people actually believe that those same officers can make that judgement and have that power over their future for eternity?

[HumbleTruth]

06:58 PM on 01/13/2012

Jesus Christ will have the final say as the true judge who knows our thoughts, our desires, and all of our actions, the lives we grew up in and the struggles he had to face. Only he can truely judge us because he knows who we really, what we've been through are and how to judge fairly because of his love for us.

Excommunication in the LDS church is not a condemnation, final judgement or anything like that but rather a restriction of some church blessings as an encouragement for repentance. Usually exommunication is used against those who are doing some of the more extreme sins like being unfaithful to the spouse, killing or teaching doctrine contrary to that in the church and it's a very understanding last resort punishment. That's why I'm confused why Peggie is saying Bishop Romney would have used those words as excommunication.

What does make sense is Bishop Romney saying you'll be exommunicated for repeatedly having non-marital sex (against Christian rules). I tend to think that is the case. Maybe misunderstanding - Personally can't say, I wasn't there. :)