"Youngest Dad" is Not the Dad

Last month, I wrote about Britain's Alfie Patten, the 13-yr-old who,it was believed, fathered a child with his 15-yr-old girlfriend.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at this mess of a situtation), within days of baby Maisie's birth, a number of other teenage boys stepped forward and said, Hey, I could be the father as well!

So Alfie's parents demanded DNA testing -- which has proven that young Alfie is NOT the girl's father.

My heart breaks for him anyway. Either way, he will carry the scars of this tragedy for life. For months, this 13-yr-old -- who, at most, should be worrying about peer pressure and drugs and alcohol -- has believed himself to be responsible for another life. For the past month, he has been shuttling back and forth between his house and the home of his girlfriend and supposed-daughter, helping share infant care duties. And ready or not, I'm sure that some part of him has bonded with this child that is not his.

Check out this video:


Then please, please make sure your sons know the facts well before they need them. Make sure they know how babies are made, and how NOT to make them. Make it perfectly clear that your sons can come to you, at anytime, and talk about anything.

It might be too late for Alfie, but I never want to see another boy go through a similar hell.