Alfie Patten, Baby-Faced Teen, Becomes Father At 13 (VIDEO)

From News:

BOY dad Alfie Patten yesterday admitted he does not know how much nappies cost -- but said: "I think it's a lot."

Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 but looks more like eight, became a father four days ago when his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne.

Read the whole story from News

Comments

[formerprosecutor]

I am surprised this is "news". Early teen parents happen thousands of times each year, here in the U.S.
In the last 11 years, as either a judge or prosecutor, I personally have had 14 cases of fathers as young as 12 to 14. All of the mothers were inthe same age bracket; except one that was almost 16, but intellectually challenged.
In my jurisdiction , there is presumption that no parent under the age of 16 is capable of caring for an infant. Techinically, the age of the parent puts the infant "at risk". Standard operating procedure is that "children services" via the state move to make the child a ward of the state; in order to provide supervison and services. If the parent(s) cannot demonstrate the ability and resources to care for the infant, the infant will be placed in foster care; famolial or not. Sometimes, termination of perantal rights is sought by the state. Sometimes a authentic re-unification plan is effected.
But it is not newsworthy; nor in this country would their identities be revealed; that is the biggest surprise to me! This newspaper heaped more harm upon the already grevious harm.

[sunnybunny]

That happened to my mother back in 1953 and her head is still messed up from them taking her baby away. (She still cries almost daily about it.) Her boyfriend was 17 and she was 13 at the time. I met my brother who is now 56 when we were both adults and his adoptive parents were wonderful people who finally got the baby they always wanted and he grew up in a great home , but at the emotional expense of my mother and her boyfriend. I had really thought we had progressed since then to respect individual choices more, I guess not.

[formerprosecutor]

Nope; when, as an attorney, I first heard of this presumption, I was appalled (see my comment about my own family)

The outcome is very determinative based on the personal views of the prosecutor and judge; after all it comes down to a "guess" aka opinion, based on what social service brings us.

At least today, a 17 year old father would have more legal rights, after he got out of jail, since we like to prosecute those that have saa- X with people under the age of consent.

I took testimony once from a well known Psychiatrist that admitted on the witness stand; that nature and the law were at odds when it comes to imposition of the age of consent.

Nature tells us we are ready to procreate after puberty; the law says we can't. The latest of prosceuting teenage girls for posting their own bre asts on thier own website for child p orn has pushed us over the edge of reason.

My great grandma and my grandma used to work in their large vegetable field without their shirts on. I guess we have come full circle back to the Victorian age

[ardenvien]

i think he's not the father of that child we all know that we the present generation knows about different things.we can say that at the age of 5 thers a possibility that they know things about sex.but alfie patten done it for only one time then her girlfriend got pregnant?the government official of britain shall investigate about that matter so we can know the truth behind that matter.and also to give alfie patten,the assurance that he's the real father of that baby girl.

[sunnybunny]

a related story:
I am an insurance agent and not long ago, one of our clients called up to add his teenage son as a driver to his policy (always an uncomfortable thing) This client is a doctor and his wife a CPA all their cars are brand new so the premium of course went through the roof and the client asked me to see if I could shop around and find him a better rate. I pulled out his file to shop his rates and saw that he was 30 years old and his wife was 29. So, I'm like - They have a 16year old son? I asked my boss about it since he knew them personally and he was like "Yeah,they lived with his parents like forever." Apparently, these two got "married" at 13 and went on to become successful and still married 17 years later with 2 other kids too. All I could say is wow, anything is possible. I'm sure it was hard, but I bet they had some real good help. That seems to be the key in these types of situations. Sure more often it goes quite differently, but respectful support helps a whole lot. I hope these kids and others like them are able to get it.

[formerprosecutor]

That is an amazing story! Always the cynic; are you sure the child is not adopted? Say from a older sibling , that got in "trouble". I know an attorney that has a son (legally adopted from an older sister). The attorney is 31 and his "son" is 17.
But nonetheless, an amazing story in this day an age.
In the 19th century and early 20th, peopel were often parents much younger than today.
My great grandmother (whom I knew well) gave birth at 13; my great grandfather was 28. It was an arranged marriage. She went on to have another 11 children. Two sets of twins. True old style farm folk.

[sunnybunny]

Yes, that was the story. They were really young when they got pregnant .They lived with his parents the whole time they went to college and until they bought a house.They really seemed like they were older than they were though. I had no idea they were so young until I saw their dates of birth. I'm sure their life has not been easy.
I have a lot of respect for people supporting each other in a crisis to help things work out for the best. Too many families turn against each other when they should be helping. It's also hard as parents, to find the right balance between support and discipline and respect of privacy. And it's hard for kids to not take advantage, but to accept help.

[ardenvien]

i am a 14 year old boy from the philippines.i just want to be assure about the truth.
having a baby can affect the future of alfie patten.he's to young to have a child.
and i want to please her girlfriend to give the public the chance to know the truth.
me and my classmate have argued about that thing and surprisingly we all agreed that alfie is not the father of that baby.........

[sunnybunny]

Wow, this story and this message board really points out why we have these kinds of problems. No one can seem to accurately remember their own childhood well enough to realize that most teenagers are very interested in sex. No one can concieve that their kids might be doing it. If a kid looks older or younger than they really are, they are still the age they are, and they need to be treated accordingly and expected to act in a way consisent with their age. Teenagers have sex - admit it to yourselves. Don't be so threatening and scary, it will make your kids hide things from you.
I think it's good that they published this because I think a lot of people don't realize when we have these discussions just who it is who knocks up teenage girls - guess what, it's teenage boys. Not all of them have such a "baby face" but some do. While responsibility on their part is definitely a positive thing and will be good for everyone concerned, it doesn't solve the actual problems of parenting resources. What is important here is that their choices as parents are respected ,and that they get lots of support to enable them to finish school and develop their lives into adulthood. I have seen this happen and it can have positive or devastating consequences depending on the families.I wish the best for these kids and I'm happy that their daughter seems to be very healthy.

[RoseMerry]

And I thought that I messed, becoming a parent at 17. These guys have a long hard road ahead. I hope they understand what caused this.

[tamsam07]

I find this so disturbing. It truly makes me sick. Honestly that girl looks older than 15, and I don't know many (if any) 14/15 yr old girls that would be interested in a boy that looks 7 or 8. Something is wrong with her.

[formerprosecutor]

google the words "cougar older"

Is it the slight age diff that bothers you or the superficial appearence?

[Ridgemore]

Final lines from 1966 Movie, Michael Caine as Alfie:

You know what? When I look back on my little life and the birds I've known, and think of all the things they've done for me and the little I've done for them, you'd think I've had the best of it along the line. But what have I got out of it? I've got a bob or two, some decent clothes, a car, I've got me health back and I ain't attached. But I ain't got me peace of mind - and if you ain't got that, you ain't got nothing. I dunno. It seems to me if they ain't got you one way they've got you another. So what's the answer? That's what I keep asking myself - what's it all about? Know what I mean?

(Unfrotunately, for this Alfie, the story ends before it really begins.)

[FabulousAt52]

this poor little boy is a "beard".... face it.

[LolaP]

oh my gawd that girl looks like his mother!!

[linton]

Scary but true. Sex, romance etc is no longer for responsible adults. I can't even let my kids watch T.V.
Too much nudity, crazy commercials for Viagra and Cialis etc on all T.V/radio stations at any hour of the day. Have you observed the soft porn gallery at the check out station at most grocery/su­permarkets­?

[SNS]

You guys are all just jealous.

[Americanium]

I hope the Republicans invite him to campaign for them. After all they did not chose abortion.

[Alvarask]

Regardless of all the accusations to the contrary, that baby looks EXACTLY like that boy!

[FabulousAt52]

that's only because they're BOTH 'babies"

[armadrafar]

small boy be a man....
you are the great boy...
heh he...

[Crix]

Goodbye, childhood. Goodbye, innocence. You were great while you lasted.

[Bluesue]

England also has it's wingnuts. This is from the London Telegraph:

Pro-life campaigners praised the two children as courageous for deciding to go ahead with the pregnancy but the Conservative leader David Cameron said the case raised "worrying" questions about modern Britain

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4613803/Boy-who-became-father-at-13-raises-worrying-questions.html