UPDATE: Looks like I touched a nerve with this post. But in a good way, judging from most of the comments.
This is absolute insanity, and not in a good way. First of all, any time a woman wants child support, a DNA test absolutely must be required. There is nothing wrong with two parents sharing the burden of their biological children. But there must be no doubt in this process. It should be standard operating procedure.
In this case, it’s a double whammy because the woman had sex with a second partner. And ALL sexual partners within the time frame of fertilization must be considered as potential parents of the child. Mr. Hatley could have been the one who was easier to lock into child support, maybe he had a job. Maybe Ms. Morrison simply wanted a way to control her relationship with Mr. Hatley. Who knows. But Morrison is clearly negligent for overlooking the fact she had multiple partners. Was she asleep when it happened?
I’m quite sure Mr. Hatley could have used that extra money during those 13 years. And the correct father should be liable for the entire sum of payments made by Hatley, along with the years Hatley didn’t make payments. Plus interest.
The problem with this case is that it has become acceptable in society to run men over and not make women accountable. Hatley has absolutely no connection to this other man’s child. The mother should have confirmed it, she didn’t. The State should have confirmed it, they didn’t either. And now we have a man in all kinds of legal hassle, who should have never been involved in the first place. Not only should he get all this money back plus interest, he should get payment for time spent behind bars. And it’s unfortunate the tax payers of Georgia are footing the bill for this unnecessary ridiculousness.
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There’s nothing in the story to indicate Ms. Morrison knew Mr. Hatley was not the father. If she was sexually involved with other men during her relationship with Mr. Hatley, she may have assumed he was the father. There’s no information on why the relationship ended. He may have known she had other suitors.
She waited two years to apply for support, which adds even more mystery. Where was the support coming from before that?
The question would seem to be one of intent. If Ms. Morrison acted in good faith, believing Hatley was the father, the State may not be liable for repayment. And they would have a good argument for the $16,000 in back payments assessed before the DNA tests showed Hatley was not the father.
But if it could be shown Ms. Morrison knew, or should have known, (by a “reasonable person” standard), Hatley was not the father,then it’s possible Ms. Morrison could be held liable for repaying the amount and possible damages to Mr. Hatley. It may also be possible the State, in its fiduciary relationship with Ms. Morrison, and by extension, Mr. Hatley, may be held to a more rigorous standard of proof than a mother’s claim in assigning parentage for the purpose of recouping support. Failure to apply that standard could work in Mr. Hatley’s favor.
The story isn’t written very well. It’s designed to play to the sensational and leaves out key facts. The issue of non-parent support exists in every jurisdiction, and is ripe for abuse. I hope Mr. Hatley has a good attorney. I can’t help but think his color and financial status were the root cause of his imprisonment on the issue. If this had been a white man, would the results have been the same?
This happens every day in America to millions of men and it will continue to happen so long as women are employed by the Child Support divisions in each state in this nation……which means it will happen forever……..
Okay, so the state jails someone for not keeping up on payments, so A. The state is now obliged to provide for him. B. He is unable to work to continue payments. So now it costs the state more than just helping him get a job. This fails to make any sense to me, heck put him on the state payroll, and have him work it off.
That w***e should be made to pay him back every dime she was given plus interest. Not just the child support money, but for legal fees I’m sure he got stuck with, punitive damages, slander (“deadbeat dad” label) and emotional distress. She should also face jail time for fraud against the gentleman and the State. KIDS aren’t cash cows and neither are good men!!! Women like that embarrass me.
Women who lie about “whose my baby daddy” should be jailed. Is it any wonder, men don’t have any respect for these so-called females.
i know a guy in the same situation in ny, dna confirmed that he is not the biological father, but, he signed and had been paying support for the past 18yrs. as per the judge, “being a father is more than biological”. kid don’t even want anything to do with him. money comes out of his check before he gets it.
question on my mind: why the judge don’t pay then if its no just biologic? i guess you can think of it as the most expensive piece of tail a man could legally purchase LOL
The insanity will not stop until something is done about judges. Judges are exempt from any liability and this has to change involving cases of gross negligence. Have you ever heard one refer to his court. Heads up human, yes you judge, you put your pants on one leg at atime just like I do. I’m acountable in my position where I’m employed, perhaps it time you are too.
She should have to pay him pack for all the money he has spent for a child that was not even his. There is hardly no mention that this woman can’t keep track of what man she’s with on what day. The question “Who is my daddy?” is getting way to common place.
Another perfect example of how rights are established between men and women in the court system. The judge that makes decisions on cases like this without having the facts and proof that the person is the biological father or mother even for that matter and should be held accountable for their judgement. I personally think the system and judgement process needs a complete overhall and the officials get paid to much for the result we see.