Babyfaced Dad at 13: Fatherhood in Question

February 16, 2:32 PMFatherhood ExaminerJoe Schatz

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This story is currently a huge headline in the UK—the story of 13-year-old Alfie Patten.  Alfie claims that he is the father of 15-year-old Chantelle Steadman’s baby.  What is making this story such a crazy mess is the fact that two other teens are claiming to be the baby’s father as well.  Perhaps the most shocking part of this story is Alfie Patten himself.  He is a baby faced kid that looks more like he is eight than thirteen (Check out this story from The Sun to see the face of teenage pregnancy in Britain) and his matter of fact, nonchalant manner in how he talks about being a dad has many people disgusted.

Chantelle gave birth to seven-pound, three-ounce Maisie Roxanne last Monday. The fifteen-year-old had been on birth control pills, but reportedly Chantelle missed taking one.

Here’s where the story gets interesting (or should I say more interesting), yesterday, Richard Goodsell, a 16-year-old trainee chef made claim that he also had sex with Chantelle and could be the baby’s father.  Richard claims to have had sex at least three times with Chantelle.

"Only a DNA test is going to sort this out properly," he said. "If I am the father, I have the right to know. I know I could be the father. My friends all tell me that baby has my eyes - even my mum thinks so." 

Just as Richard was making his claim to be the baby’s daddy, another teen, 14-year-old Tyler Barker, stepped forth to throw his hat into the fatherhood ring.

 "I slept with Chantelle in her bed about nine months ago," he said, "and I'm really worried I could be the father. I hope it's not me. All my mates have been teasing me about it, but this isn't funny, it's serious."

Now, if this doesn’t make a mess of a messy situation then consider this, News of the World (a UK equivalent to TMZ) finds that eight teens may have had intercourse with Chantelle about the time that Maisie was conceived.

Alfie, still growing and only four feet tall, denied the validity of the claims that the other teens have made.

"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’s Mum also rejects the claims of the other teenage boys saying, “It's rubbish. Chantelle lost her virginity to Alfie."

Way to go mom.  As for Alfie, he is confident that, although he was only twelve when the child was conceived, he will make a good dad.  "I'm know I'm young, but I plan to be a good dad." Alfie, in between turns on a PlayStation – said to a reporter, "I think we'll be good parents. I'll have to work extra hard at school."  I guess that is case closed then right?   The police could have brought up charges of underage sex, but say they have said that they do not plan on getting involved.

What does this story speak to in the future for both the UK and the U.S.?  What is most shocking here, the age of those involved or the callous way in which they talk about such a serious situation?