Cleveland’s Scandalous Illegitimate Child
At the time Cleveland served as president, having an affair was something that simply wasn’t talked about. Maria Crofts Halpin, however, is said to have given birth to an illegitimate child belonging to the president before his term. This wasn’t revealed until he was president, when a paper trail showed child support payments he had made in her name.
While this wouldn’t be such a big deal today, at the time it raised serious questions about Cleveland’s honesty and honor. Oscar Folsom Cleveland was raised by Halpin, and his birthright was never proven. Some theories suggest that Cleveland only took responsibility for him because he wanted the young boy to have a father.
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