A boy accidently impregnated a girl. After a few weeks the father of the girl nd
ID: 2968803 • Letter: A
Question
A boy accidently impregnated a girl. After a few weeks the father of the girl nds out about what happened.
He gets very angry over this whole situation. The next day the boy was found dead with his throat slit open at midnight
in his air conditioned room maintained at 60 F, the boy was holding a knife in his hand. The police report revealed that
the corpse was at 80 F when found and it was 75 F just two hours later. The boy's parents blame the father of the girl
who was very angry over this whole situation and claim he put the knife into the boy's hand to make it look like a suicide.
The father denies this and says that he was at work until 8 PM and that the boy committed suicide because he was afraid
of the consequences that would face him in his future. The parents say that this is impossible because he was very happy
and active on the day he was killed. The police unable to solve this case turn to you, a mathematician, and ask whether
the girl's father could have killed the boy and framed it as a suicide. What do you decide and why?
Explanation / Answer
Let me address your questions individually:
My options as far as what rights I have prior to the baby being born?
There is little a father can do prior to birth regarding the child, except to file paternity proceedings if there is a suspicion that the child is not his. The proceedings will be stayed until the child is born so testing can be performed. A father has no right to terminate the pregnancy in this country.
After the baby being born?
After the baby is born, the father can admit or deny paternity by either signing or refusing to sign an acknowledgment of paternity. He can bring paternity proceedings in court to determine paternity. The court generally will not allow a voluntary termination of parental rightsunless another person is willing to step in to adopt the child (usually a step-parent).
What if I want to terminate all rights?
See above.
Is there a specific time frame to do that in which I wouldn't have to pay child support (up to 12 weeks of the pregnancy)?
There is no particular time frame in these proceedings as long as the child is a minor.
If I do have to pay child support, what would be the percentage of my income I would have to pay?
If you are determined to be the father, you would have to pay child support. Child support in Ohio is not a percentage of income, but a formula based on both parents' incomes less certain deductions.
If I didn't terminate my rights, how much say would I have in the child's life?
That depends whether you are granted any legal custody by a court. If legal custody is joint, you would have an equal say into certain decisions, such as medical treatment, education, and religion.
What if I get married and want to adopt the child if the mother remains single?
A legal parent does not adopt his own child. You would ask the court for custody, and the court would consider what is in the best interests of the child.
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