AskFM 2nd #DNADad UPDATE: Bio Dad Denies His Child
- belle
- 9 months ago
- Newest
- 15 Comments
NOTE: This story was updated on Aug. 04, 2014. Please scroll to read the latest update.
NOTE 2: This story was updated AGAIN on Aug. 15, 2014. CLICK HERE
In many ways, I’ve learned to detach from some of the hard scenarios that come up on Ask.FM. It’s a defense mechanism to keep me from being weighed down all the time with other folks’s problems. But every once in awhile I get caught up. This story stayed with me.
A man wrote in recently to say that he recently found out that his 4-year old son that he had with his girlfriend is not biologically his. A couple of men who read his query weighed in to say that this is every man’s “worst nightmare” realized. As a woman, there’s little chance (barring a hospital mix up) that I’ll ever have to worry if the kid I’m raising is my own. But stories like these come up often enough—this isn’t the first time on even Ask.FM— that men have a valid concern.
The Brother who wrote was hurt more than anything, but also angry and unsure if he could continue a relationship with the child, who to complicate the situation, was calling to ask where he was.
The whole situation was heartbreaking. Take a read of the AskFM exchanges and see how it turned out:
Yesterday, I appeared in court to have a DNA test result read . It turns out the boy I have been taking care of for the last 4 years isn’t mine. The mother has to back pay me yet that doesn’t make me feel any better. I know men aren’t supposed to cry, but everything is hurting even my toenails 
“the boy” is your son. you’ve been his father for four years. is it possible to continue a relationship with him, especially as that is what is best for the child (and you)?
terribly sorry to hear what happened to you.
Dna/Son, I want to be there right now it hurts so much. He called me Saturday night (he is so proud that he learned my number the boy wont stop using it 
lol) He wanted to know why I wasn’t there to watch him practice like I always am. This really sucks. He’s my little man.
Work the ish out with the mom. Forgive her, as hard as that is. Do it for you and the kid, not her. And spend time with the kid. This story of you two being torn apart is breaking everyone’s heart.
Please do not exit the kid’s life because the mom is trife.
GM, TY for responding to my query. I was trying to be mean by asking for a DNA test because I was upset about our break up. I didn’t think he wouldn’t be my child. My mother is hurt as well. I lost a son xmas from a hit & run (he was 12). It feels like were mourning all over again I want to be there.
Woo damn.
I’m terribly sorry to hear about your oldest son. But this kid who isn’t biologically yours? You’re the only father he’s ever known, and he’s the son you have… if you want to continue the relationship. The kid is here and he wants you.
You’re hurt. I totally understand why. You were terribly deceived. But you CAN ease some of this pain. You would feel a million times better if the kid was still in your life. Tell me I’m wrong.
DNA/Son, Yes Ma’am you are right. I need him in my life. He’s my boy. I am afraid that anytime he does something new, I will be left feeling like ” Did he pick that up from me or is it a trait from his real dad?” I haven’t seen him since the day at court. I’m crashing at my Mother’s house.
I get why it matters to you. But in the grand scheme it doesn’t, especially if it’s a positive trait. Your role is to give him the best that you’ve got and mold him into a great man. Given our exchanges today, it sounds like you have a good heart and a level head, even when you’re hurt. He needs to pick up those traits.
DNA/Son, Forgive me if I seem like some whiny crazed brother that has camped out on your site (If hard expressing my feelings to my friend we don’t really talking about things of this nature). My daughters and I went to watch him practice this afternoon in fact just dropped him off an hour ago. His eyes lit up when saw us. He said to me Daddy I’m gonna run super fast and if I get hit, I’m not gonna cry just like you said. I ‘m gonna take it like a man. I prayed so much the last few days. If I decided to stay I want to legally make him mine that way his mom can’t pull any funny stunts.”
I think getting legal rights is really smart. Hopefully, the mom is on board. leave out the “funny stunts” part when you talk to her.
I also want you to know that I’m really proud of you. It’s taking A LOT for you to put your feelings aside for the situation and focus on what matters. I thought about your situation several times today. I know it’s HARD, but the boy didn’t ask for this and you being his Dad is all he knows. He needs you and you need him. I hope this works out for the best.
DNA/Son, lastly (I know you have others that need your help) I received an email this morning from the mom her defense is , She stepped out when we were having problems it was a 1x thing with a guy from HS and she didn’t think he was a possible because they air both fair skin and the boy is my tone.
If she had sex with someone else around the same time, it was a 50/50 chance of who the father could be. She should have spoken up when she discovered she was pregnant. The “you two are the same color” isn’t enough to reasonably think it’s your child.
She has some things that she needs to work out and she needs to work some things out with you as well. I’m glad in the midst of this that you can still focus on what is best for the child.
DNA/Son, Thanks for the time and advice Ms. Lucas. Please keep us in your prayers and I will do the same. Goodnight.
My take on this is clear from the responses above. But FB reader, Kia Richards, saw it a different way:
“I know this sounds harsh but unless this man plans on being an active part of the boy’s life he needs to cut ties and move on. I’m assuming this man will date and move on to find love with someone else. Having the child around means he will have to deal with the ex which may complicate his future relationships. If he was my relative or friend I would suggest that he cuts ties. The mom needs to find out who the father is and make him take a proactive role in the life if his biological child.”
What would you advise?
UPDATE 08.04.14
“DNA Dad” as I’ve conveniently coined him, is back. He wrote in over the weekend to say that he was going to have dinner with his ex to hash out how they were going to clean us the messy scenario she caused by cheating on him and never mentioning the paternity of their child could be in question. Understandably, he was a nervous wreck. And unfortunately, his flurry of queries came through while I was away from my laptop:
“I guess you can tell I’m stalling by all of my rambling and chatter. I didn’t think we would be going through this madness at this point in our lives but here we are. Maybe a drink will mellow me out. What do you think? Dinner is at 6.”
I was back at my computer by 5:30, just in time to catch him for his last message before he headed in for dinner. He was waiting for me:
“I am about to walk a hole in my tiles from pacing back and forth. I’m meeting the Mother for dinner at 6:00 . My agenda is to work out something where I can have my boy back in my life. I need some encouragement to help me not blow my cool.”
And be honest with her. You’re hurt, disappointed, angry, all that, but you don’t think she’s a horrible person and you still want the child in your life. Add that you appreciate the sacrifices she made for your children.
She likely still wants you in the child’s life, so you know. She’s not exactly in a great position here.
I wasn’t aware just how accurate that last sentence was. She got caught in a lie. A huge one. The man who’s been financially supporting and loving her child may or may not bail, which leaves her child screwed and maybe her too if she’s still in love with him. In the best case scenario, Mom had to call and old beau and inform him years later that she had been pregnant with his kid, and had a child… who she had been passing off as someone else’s for four years. If he had any sense, he’d demand a DNA test, which has got to be humiliating to be on the second test to determine paternity of your child. If the alleged biological dad was the actual biological dad (because at this point, her word is no good on this matter) she would have to figure out how to introduce a very confused little boy to his new father and hope New Dad was an active father in the kid’s life the way First Dad was. The shit, to put it mildly, was a mess. Add to her stress that she was going to need to pick up the tab on some hefty therapy bills for her son down the line.
Those were my theories. Reality is much worse.
DNA Dad wrote back with a post-dinner update:
“Ms.Lucas, tonight I was a ball of emotions. I felt everything from wanting to smack her, which I would never do, to wanting to comfort her while she cried. The end goal has been met. There is a little boy asleep on my mother’s sofa and I’m happily on a pallet on the floor . I don’t mind:)
- The horror! The horror!!!!
About Author
Affectionately known as "Belle”, Demetria L. Lucas is the author of two books— A Belle in Brooklyn and Don't Waste Your Pretty; the creator of the award-winning personal blog ABelleInBrooklyn.com; and the founder of Coached By Belle, a boutique life-coaching service, where Demetria helps clients solve their dating dilemmas and build healthy relationships. Demetria is also a contributing editor for The Root, where she pens two weekly columns, and is a contributing writer for the websites of The Grio, XO Jane, Essence, Clutch, Vibe Vixen and Uptown. She was also the star of Bravo TV's docu-drama series, "Blood Sweat & Heels"
I agree w Kia. Not fair to the boy to have a PT father. As much as it hurts, I would leave it alone. Not sure what legal rights a man has to a kid that’s not his with a woman of whom he does not want to be with, I get that he bonded and raised the child for 4 years, but biologically he has no right. I would cry in solitude and move on.
I think he should remain in the child’s life. This little boy did not ask to be put in this situation and it’s not fair to him to lose that relationship because of his mother’s mistake. The man I call “dad” is not my biological father. The relationship he and my mother had was wrong (he was cheating on his wife) however he has raised me since the I was 1, I am now 27. My dad recognized what he did was wrong and returned to his marriage but he continued to raise me as his own. I think what this man is doing is a great thing!
Wow…this is a very difficult situation. I’m not sure how I feel. A part of me feels like he should stay in the child’s life because he the child only knows him as his father and the other part of me feels like the mom needs to get the biological father to play his active role. The non biological father has to consider his future as well. However he does love the child. Perhaps he can stay in the child’s life but the biological father needs to be in his child’s life as well. When the child gets older, they will need to explain the dynamics of this relationship with him.
At this point I believe he should stay a part of this boy’s life finding out at 4 years old that the only man you’ve known as your father isn’t your “father” will devastate him eventually he should be told the truth but not at this age. Raise him as your own and never treat him different you can’t just “cut ties” with a boy you have loved and nutured as your own.
I agree with Kia on this one. He needs to move on completely. Get some therapy if he needs to. As far as the rest of the situation, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Bottom line is that people need to be mindful when it comes to “pay back”, being “mean”, and deceit. Everything comes out in the wash.
First I want to say there are not many man like this brother. My father had the same thing happen to him, but by the time my father found out that my oldest sister wasn’t his she was 17 years old. When the DNA was read in court my father told the judge I don’t care what you paper says that is my daughter. My sister is now 35, and my father treats her no different then my other sister, my brother, and myself. My sister has meant her biological father, and doesn’t even care to be around him. My sister children don’t even no her biological father at all. They know my father as their grandfather. I’m saying that to say this. You don’t have to be the biological father to be a great father and role model. At child will only know what his parents teach him until he is old enough to understand.
My parents found out my older sister (dad’s child from previous relationship) wasn’t his biological daughter when she was 14. Things changed. Her mom knew all along but didn’t tell my dad. My mom was the one who found out once she was a teen. Long story. Anywho that’s still my sister. Always will be.
What a difficult situation. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer, just a “do what’s best for all parties” involved — the child, himself, the mother and the actual father.
It’s pretty clear that this man does not plan to be a part-time father; he wants to continue to raise this young boy and usher him into manhood. Part-time fathers don’t do that, and a part-time father certainly wouldn’t attempt to get legal rights to a child.
However, there a person that has to be considered and that’s the actual father. What does he want to be a father to his son? How will the son handle hearing that he has another father?
Families come in all different sizes, backgrounds and set-ups. This may be a new one that involves two fathers. Prayerfully, the three adults can come together and make a grown up decision on what to do, keeping in mind that the child and his development is what is most important.
Got damn.
I just.
hurt.
all over.
I’m at work at my desk in damn near tears with this horrible, horrible reality for this family. I am really praying for them.
Dang, what a plot twist. It’s so unfortunate that this man and the young boy have been put in the middle of this hot mess. He’s being such a responsible, MAN about this thing. It’s so good to see him putting the boy first! I hope all goes well with the family lawyer and that he gets custody soon! God bless this family!
I’m in tears! This is such a crazy situation and I applaud this man for taking the position that he has. This reminds me of something that my family has recently gone through. My estranged brother had a baby by a girl and everyone had questions about the paternity but once the baby came, we fell in love with him and nothing else mattered. He’s now a year and a half and someone asked my mom about a paternity test and she replied, “Who cares about a test. He’s my grandbaby. Period.”
Once you embrace a child as your own and they fall in love with you, how can you really walk away? This man is an awesome example of a black father.
I really feel for the little boy, yes there is a man who’s not his biological father but wants to be his father. However, I know I one point later on in life the boy needs to know about his biological father only because he has siblings especially one his same age. I wish adults would just admit their mistakes so the kids don’t really suffer and get to know their siblings. I really commend Mr. DNA because he is truly stepping up and being a great father to the little boy. Lord jesus, I pray I never have to go through this or my child.
I’m actually offended that some people are encouraging him to walk out on this child, and stick a bandaid on the situation with therapy! There are so many kids (and adults, these days) who have grown up with daddy-issues because there was NO father figure around for them. Here is a 4 year old child, with a man who LOVES him and is willing to fight to take care of him and be in his life. You cannot force his biological father to be there for him. The best they can get out of him is some court-mandated child support, but no emotional support and certainly no help raising and guiding the child. We know all to well what happens when a father figure is absent- particularly if he was there then all the sudden disappears. This man is making an extremly difficult decision, and when he says he wants to continue to love, raise, and support this child (regardless of the boy is biologically his or not), lets ENCOURAGE him! Yes, dating may be difficult down the line. But if he loves this kid, its worth it.
My friend was raped by a stranger whilst in a brand new relationship with K. She kept the child. 18 years later, she is married to K who adopted his daughter at age 2.
He dotes on his daughter and as he says” my wife and kid complete me”.
DNA dad enjoy your son for that is what he is. Don’t rip out your own heart to spite the mother.
GM….I am responding to the article on the Daddy DNA….My hurt totally goes out to the man and the woman. For we all know that we can get caught up in situations and things happen. And the bad part about it is the child. I am and was in the same situation not so long ago. I was 25 and getting married and pregnant and finally breaking off a bad on and off again relationship with a former boyfriend (who wasn’t my fiance) ended up breaking up with him and didn’t see him anymore until one night several months later and got caught up. All the while still dating my finace. Needless to say I found out that I was pregnant 8 to 9 weeks later .But in my mind never thinking this could be his baby , it was only once and then I moved on …Well I went on to get married and I had my child who now bares my husband’s last name. All the while still never thinking that my child could be my ex’s.Several years later we started having issues with my ex and his at the time girlfriend and mother of his other child , 3 Years later ..Well needless to say all hell broke lose.We started having problems in the marriage due to outside people wanted to make things worse because of the ex…SO this is now we found out about our child, my husband was devastated and hurt and my happy world came falling down..for I was in shock , hurt and felt like someone had ripped my heart out..What do I do lord , how do I move what do I say.For I felt like I had destroyed what we where blessed with for one night and we can’t go back and yet can’t move forward. Not to mention I have the mother in law from hell who already was just waiting for a downfall of any mistake on my end..This was the worst ever, and all I could do was pray and tell my husband I was sorry and that I love him and we can get through this..But I also gave him the option of living us if it would give him some since of peace, but he stayed and choose not to change one thing..We have been high school sweetheart since middle school.For the Lord has truly blessed me and our children with a wonderful man.And I love him dearly.But in the back of my mind I know things still hurt him and brother him because I can still feel his pain and anger as well as his hurt.It’s like it’s been string in him just brewing. Now it’s 12 years later and the issue has released again and I feel that we are back to square one again.BUT only this time we had no choice but to tell our children (my husband and I also have a child together who is older). just what is going on , now we have to say this is your dad but not your dad..And your biological Father would like to meet you and that you have another sibling and other grandparents. .And now I feel so empty because I know this hurt and pain has to all over again be put on my husband and now I have also put this devastating devastating hurt and pain upon my children.lord help me now for now I have to turn my youngest child’s world upside down as well as my oldest. For this is hard I have to deal with my nerves are all over this and yet I know one to talk too, my husband want even look at me , he is so ooooohhhh upset ..For my parents are helping me get throw but I still feel so alone…Because my focus is on my children and my husband and I want everything to work out …For no more WHATTTTTT .my husband will always be my husband’s child and no one well ever take that away.For I do know now that you don’t have to have a child be yours biological to raise and love them like your own and it takes a very special person to do that !