Sherri Shepherd’s Surrogacy Scandal: The Secret Child and Legal Battles Exposed

Sherri Shepherd, the comedian and former co-host of “The View,” has faced a storm of personal and legal hardships over the past decade.

From contentious custody battles to child support payments for a child she isn’t biologically related to, Sherri’s private life has played out in the public eye, leaving many shocked at the truth behind her second marriage and her secret child.

After divorcing her first husband, Jeff Tarpley, with whom she shares a son named Jeffrey (who has special needs), Sherri found love again with writer Lamar Sally.

The pair married in 2011, but the union was fraught with challenges from the start. Sherri’s friends—including Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Harvey, and Barbara Walters—refused to attend the wedding, expressing doubts about Lamar’s intentions.

The marriage quickly unraveled. Sherri later revealed that Lamar misrepresented himself, claiming to be a successful Hollywood figure when he wasn’t.

Their relationship became increasingly strained, especially over the issue of having children. While Lamar wanted a child, Sherri was hesitant, given her responsibilities to her son Jeffrey.

Despite her reservations, the couple proceeded with surrogacy. However, Sherri claimed she had little involvement in choosing the egg donor or the surrogate.

As the pregnancy progressed, their marriage fell apart, and Sherri filed for divorce when the surrogate was already four months pregnant. The surrogate, Jessica Bartholomew, later petitioned the court to have Sherri and Lamar named as the child’s legal parents, seeking to avoid personal liability.

The legal drama intensified when Sherri objected to being listed as the child’s mother on the birth certificate, arguing she was not biologically related to the baby, Lamar Jr.

Nonetheless, the court sided with Lamar, legally obligating Sherri to pay child support. Lamar insisted on a high monthly payment, and when Sherri offered a lump sum of $150,000, he refused, pushing the dispute all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Ultimately, Sherri was ordered to pay $4,100 per month until Lamar Jr. turned 13, after which the amount would increase.

Throughout the ordeal, Sherri maintained that her involvement in Lamar Jr.’s life was only financial.

She explained that she kept her distance to avoid exposing the child to parental conflict, emphasizing that she was not his biological mother and did not want him caught between warring adults.

Meanwhile, Sherri’s first husband, Jeff Tarpley, filed for increased custody of their son Jeffrey, accusing Sherri of neglect due to her busy career. He even enlisted Lamar as a witness to support his claims.

The judge ultimately ruled in Sherri’s favor, recognizing her as the primary caregiver.

Despite these public battles, Sherri has continued to work hard to provide a positive environment for her son Jeffrey and has stated she has no intention of marrying again, citing the emotional and financial toll of her previous relationships.

Sherri Shepherd’s story is a cautionary tale about love, trust, and the complexities of modern parenthood, highlighting her resilience in the face of adversity and her commitment to her children’s well-being.