Is Sherri Shepherd now considered a mother of two?
The surrogate woman carrying a child for "The View" co-host and her estranged husband Lamar Sally has reportedly given birth to a baby boy, according to a report from TMZ. The child was reportedly born in Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
The gossip site stated that Sally was present for the child's birth and is excited to be a new father. The television writer has reportedly spent over $5,000 on baby supplies and toys for the newborn.
However, Shepherd was not present for the child's arrival and made no mention of the topic on social media or Tuesday's taping of ABC's "The View". The 47-year-old comedian reportedly does not want custody of the child or any parental rights and responsibilities, but Sally wants her name on the birth certificate.
A source told TMZ, that the new born was produced using Sally's sperm only and that he always intended to raise the child alone, with financial help from Shepherd.
The source added that Shepherd believes Sally tried to defrauded her, after reportedly learning that he intentional wanted to have a child with the actress in order to divorce her and force her to pay child support.
According to FOX News, "Sherri doesn't want anything to do with the child and refuses to pay any child support. She is not budging and is completely detached. She feels very just in her actions and claims the child is not hers."
In May, Sally filed for divorce after three years of marriage. He cited irreconcilable differences as his reason for the split, and asked the court for legal and physical custody of the baby. He also requested court documents to "prevent [Shepherd] from interfering with his ability to take the kid with him after the birth."
A week later, Shepherd filed her own divorce documents in New Jersey, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason behind the separation. The former couple have no children together, but Shepherd does have nine-year-old son Jeffrey with first husband Jeffrey Tarpley.
Shepherd has not addressed the rumors surrounding her divorce or maternity rights regarding the newborn child. Last month, she tweeted that she was facing "battles" and needed prayer.
"Keep the prayers coming... Still got more battles - please judge me by my character and not from the tabloids who are having a slow news day," she recently tweeted.
Shepard has been cast as the wicked stepmother in Broadway's "Cinderella," which also stars actress Keke Palmer, and is scheduled to begin on Sept. 9. It is reportedly the first time an African-American actress has taken the role of Cinderella on Broadway.
