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13-Year-Old Dad May Not Be Father After All
Filed under: In The News
Despite his short stature -- he's barely four feet tall -- and his child's voice, 13-year-old Alfie Patten bravely stood up to fatherhood when his 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle gave birth to their daughter, Maisie. "When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react," Alfie told The Sun last week.But Alfie may not be the father after all.
On Sunday, 16-year-old Richard Goodsell came forward to say that he thought there was a very good chance Maisie was his. "I know I could be the father. Everyone thinks I am. My friends all tell me that baby has my eyes -- even my mum thinks so," he told News of the World.
He's not the only one. Since Alfie and Chantelle shared their story in The Sun, yet another teen, Tyler Barker, 14, has come forward to say Maisie could be his. Several other boys have said they, too, have had sex with Chantelle.
A DNA test will be done "as soon as possible" to determine paternity, said a spokesman for Alfie's parents. "It would be prudent to have a DNA test."
Alfie isn't taking the news well. "Other stupid boys are lying, saying bad things, like they have slept with Chantelle too. But I am the only boyfriend she has had and we've been together for two years, so I must be the dad. When she found out she was having a baby, I asked her 'Am I the dad?' and she went 'Yeah' so I believe her."
Chantelle agrees that Alfie is her first and only boyfriend.
It's the stuff of soap operas or at least a bad movie of the week -- one tiny baby and eight dads, lined up to claim her or to breathe a sigh of relief that they've dodged this particular bullet. One thing's certain: The story is lucrative.
It's hard not to lift an accusing eyebrow at Alfie and Chantelle's parents, but while they're certainly responsible for these two particular teens, Alfie and Chantelle aren't the first two kids to have a baby before they were ready. Just last fall, the country couldn't stop arguing about whether Sarah Palin's teenage daughter Bristol was a clear sign of Sarah's lax parenting or a national hero. And Juno so romanticized teen pregnancy and adoption that a teen girl behind me in the theater said, "I wish I could have a baby." I almost choked on my popcorn.
About half of all teens have sex by the time they're 19 years old. Fifty percent. One out of two. A teen who is actively having sex has less than a 10 percent chance of avoiding pregnancy over the course of a year if she doesn't use contraception.
While I don't think we should expect that our kids will be sexually active before they reach the age of majority, the statistics don't lie and neither does that baby Alfie cradles so tenderly. We need to have an open and ongoing discussion with our kids about sex and responsibility, honest talk that gives them the tools and the knowledge to make smart choices for themselves as they ease themselves into adulthood.
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 8)
2-16-2009 @ 11:57PM
Dave said...Hey blamesum1else,
I have to agree with you. He should be playing with himself instead of with someone else. People should leave the Heff out of this. Heff is doing a great job doing what he does best. He surely doesn't need to get involved with this crap to increase his charisma. Leave Heff alone ppl...LOL..
Semper Fi
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2-16-2009 @ 11:58PM
Lisa said...This has been going on long before the 50's, my grandmother who will celebrate her 92nd birthday this year had to get married at 17 due to being pregnant, my other grandmother who has passed also had to get married at 16 due to being pregnant, she actually lied about the year she got married to try and cover it up. I myself had to get married at 16 and was sexually active at 13, I am now 45 years old. It is what it is. People have been "doing it" since the beginning of time. Doesn't make it right, but none of us should judge the young girl or the boy. Just hope to educate your own children as to being responsible and protect themselves.
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2-17-2009 @ 12:00AM
Mary said...If the "mamma" would have kept her britches on or would have just slept with one person, this would not have been an issue. In my opinion the kids are way too young to be having an adult relationship. The baby might be cute now, but what about when colic sets in. Are the emotionally mature to understand that a baby needs constant attention? Their carefree teenage days are now a memory.
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2-17-2009 @ 12:05AM
Dave said...Whatever happened to masterbation?? It makes me wonder that when I was a 15 year old or teenager, the worst thing that we ever did was go drink beer for the first time on some back dirt road. So it goes to show how screwed up some kids are today.
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2-17-2009 @ 12:07AM
xPaperHeartx said...Why would these parents let the kid sleep at his girlfriend's house? Was it just like, "Hey mum and dad, I'm spending the night at a friend's house, no need to ask any questions!" and "Ok have fun!"
*Remember, sometimes masturbation can be the better choice, risk of pregnancy there. :)
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2-17-2009 @ 12:09AM
xPaperHeartx said...Crap, I meant no pregnancy.
2-17-2009 @ 12:06AM
Tattiana said...What does this kid see in Chantell ? She is UGLY !
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2-17-2009 @ 12:09AM
Tattiana said...No, because the boy has an extra uniform there! So they knew! Yea they knew.
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2-17-2009 @ 12:15AM
mick said...sounds like someone needs to keep her legs shut
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2-17-2009 @ 12:21AM
shelley said...i am a single mother, not by choice, but by the death of my husband. I have raised my children with the morals and respect to others that my parents have instilled in me. I have two boys, 12 and 13 yrs old, plus a 20 yr old daughter. I have given them each the sex talk, but they will all make their own decision on what they want to do when they get into that certain situation. As parents, we all hope that they will make the right decision, but sometimes that doesnt happen. Its not right to call the girl a slut or whore, because it takes two. These other boys who stepped up could just be looking for the spotlight. People say that Alfie stayed the night over at her house, and the parents should have made sure nothing happened, well maybe nothing did happen there. Sex doesnt always occur in the home. It happens everywhere, in the woods, in school, in the backyard. Dont be so quick to blame, either way, each child had sex, and now they have a child as the result. God Bless to each family who is going through all of this
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2-17-2009 @ 12:21AM
Taylor said...... I'm 12 I think it's stupid to have sex so young. You could end up like this! Sadly, I do know some people around my age that have... =/////
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2-17-2009 @ 12:47AM
Michele said...What?!?!?!?!?!? he says, they've been going out for 2 years? LMAO!!!! what a sad world we live in, kids dating at age 10! I hope things change real soon, kids know waaaaaaaayyyyyyy too much waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too soon. It's sad...............really!
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2-17-2009 @ 12:51AM
mom said...It is so sad teens look at having a baby so glamorous..When ready yes!..My 12 year old came to tell me a 14 year old 8th grader is 5 months pregnant and i just wanted to die and then sat down with her right away and thanked God we have open line to talk. Shows like the Secret life of a american teenager cannot be helping these kids and then Degrassi(Omg pulled a vibrator out in class). Well I do keep an eye on what my kids watch and do not shelter from all but the influence is out there and seems it is so glamorized for them. It is up to us parents to keep that line of involvement. It is sad these children will be parents and in there twenties parents to teens themselves..and hopefully get it and understand so the same situation does not happen to their child.
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2-17-2009 @ 1:05AM
Jc said...ignorant parents that let their ignorant daughter get pregnant, by an ignorant boy who has another pair of ignorant parents, shouldve aborted. All that baby is going to go thru in life is nothing but suffering after hearing all the crap that happened after he or she came to live. Again all this product of a ridiculous society that for some reason overlooks the fact that no matter how knowledgeable and mature a fifteen or twelve year old may be, they will never be ready at that age to fully deal with the responsibilities of having a child. And since they are not ready for the consequences they should not be having sex in the first place.
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2-17-2009 @ 1:08AM
Maggie said...DanielZoros, why is it that you can sit at your computer and judge this story or others on this board and then turn it into something anti Islam? You are completely brainwashed or ignorant if you believe that blaming the girl in this story has anything to do with Islam. Do you not know history in your own country? Do you not even know what goes on currently? The pregnant girl has always been and will continue to be the one to blame in every situation. Why do you think in the 40's and 50's pregnant girls were sent away to far away relatives or to group homes far away from their families when they were showing and close to giving birth when they were unwed? The idea of a virgin, of no premarital sex of a woman being pure and modest can be found in most all religions including Christianity (which I get this feeling you are). Simply read the bible and you might be surprised by what's in it. Owning of slaves (Lev. 25:44), stoning people to death (Lev 24:10-16), selling your daughter into slavery (Exodus 21:7), that you cannot approach the alter of God if you have a sight defect (Lev 21:20). This is not even to get into the topic of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all related to each other and are known as "The three Abrahamic religions". So really if you're Christian or a Jew and you hate Islam you're only hating yourself. You see all major religions have people who are crazy (KKK, Crusades) who will take their religious text literally and are willing to kill others if it is deemed they've sinned against God, all religions continue to have the problem of troubled people. So I ask you should we start hating all religions including our own? Or should we simply accept the fact that there are a lot of crazy, brainwashed or troubled people out there who will take any excuse to do what it is they want to do? So instead of trying to make this a "Muslim" thing why don't you open your bible, and your mind? And while you're in the learning mode why don't you learn some history? "sl*t" "wh0re" and "harl0t" are not new names, where do you think they came from? And just how old do you think they are?
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2-17-2009 @ 1:09AM
sharon said...Before DNA test, it was normal for a boy who had fathered a child, to get his friends together to claim they had sex with his girlfriend.The only requirement was they have the same blood type as the father ( A,B,O, AB,etc.) The more guys who came forward in court the less likely a judge would be to make him pay support for the child. And they got away with it all the time. If you're too young to remember, ask your parents.
Also,I've been doing family history for years, so I've gone over many different types of records. You'd be amazed at the amount of young single women who had babies. Recently, while helping someone, we found out that her aunt, was really her sister. Many parents raised their grandchildren as their children.
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2-17-2009 @ 1:33AM
TTCHASE71 said...a 15 year old and a 13 year old haveing a child is a problem,we as parents are makeing their or helping them make decisions at this point in life..and that in itself says that the child is learning how to decide right from wrong.however the parents are held accountable for their actions .in order for children to make proper decisions we have to trust them and let go.if a child or rather a tween decides to think they know better and take a chance that proves nothing other than a kid made a poor choice.thats when parents remain their parents and deal the best way you know how..i do infact believe though that if the parents have displayed improper actions they should be scrutinized or punished within the law.remember babies didnt ask to be brought into a situation and ignorance is no excuse.also people in foreign countries have different beliefs and laws. i think we can care and we can offer help,but the one thing that needs to be left out are the ridicules,know a situation before saying.
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2-17-2009 @ 1:32AM
joshua said...y is this in the news, who cares, whats the right age anyways? someone should really straighten out the almighty and mother nature for not making puberty to begin at 18
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2-17-2009 @ 1:44AM
Fantasticness said...so a thirteen year old boy admitted he may have gotten his fifteen year old girlfriend pregnant. congratulations to little alfie for knowing he had a hand in this, whether its his kid or not. i still go to high school, and when a guy admits that a girl is carrying his baby, its usually in the pregnant girls dreams, that and not being pregnant. guys dont usually admit that kind of thing. it doesnt go over that well with his parent, her parents, or his new arm candy.
as to whatever teenagers wanted to have a baby after seeing Juno, these are the teenagers who dont spend any time with little children. i have younger siblings and, even though i was still little when they were, i could tell they werent easy to care for. i volunteer in the childcare center at my church watching other peoples kids for an hour a week, and even that wears me out. parents should make sure their children know how much trouble it is to have children, and babysitting is a good way to show this.
teenagers are pregnant everywhere you look if you just open your eyes. too many of us arent being talked to about sex and teen pregnancy by our parents, and its taking a toll on everyone. but even kids who lucked out and heard all about the birds and the bees havent understood the message and are making wrond decisions in difficult situations.
the whole thing is sad. people are acting like this happens once every few years or so, but it happens every day. TALK TO YOUR KIDS. if they cant keep their pants on, at least make sure they know how to accept responsibility. this thirteen year old boy is the only person ive heard of who would even consider accepting responsibility.
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2-17-2009 @ 7:49PM
idiotic assumptions said...When you hear a teen say "I wish I could have a baby" that doesn't mean they just said "I wish I could get pregnant." It doesn't automatically mean they want to have a baby as a teen, and it doesn't mean they want to be like the girl in Juno or whatever. My friend has been saying she wished she had a baby as long as I've known her, not as in oh joy, I'm going to go get preganant!!!, but in the sense that she just can't wait until she's married and is ready to be a mother because she loves babies so much. A lot of people wish they could have a baby, they doesn't mean they're idolizing characters or planning on getting pregnant as teens. It means they love babies and would like to have their own baby someday.
When I was 6 and played with dolls, I distinctly remember wishing I could have a real baby, and not just a toy baby, to take care of. Does this mean that as a 6 year old kid, I was wishing I was pregnant? No, it just meant I wished I had a baby.
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