13-Year-Old becomes Father

**~~Æmeric~~** · 02-13-2009, 11:19 PM

This use to be the kind of story that when you heard about it, you just knew it had to be about Negroes. Not anymore:

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.

He told how he and Chantelle, 15, decided against an abortion after discovering she was pregnant.

The shy lad, whose voice has not yet broken, said: “I thought it would be good to have a baby.

“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”

Alfie, who is just 4ft tall, added: “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react.

“I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it.”

Alfie's story, broken exclusively by The Sun today has sparked a huge political storm with Tory leader David Cameron saying: "When I saw these pictures this morning, I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.

"I hope that somehow these children grow up into responsible parents but the truth is parenthood is just not something they should be thinking about right now."

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No prosecution in 13-year-old father case

Alfie Patten's girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, 15, gave birth to Maisie Roxanne at the Eastbourne District General Hospital, East Sussex.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said the force had looked at the case and decided it was "not in anyone's interests" for a prosecution to take place.

In a statement, police said: "Sussex Police Child Protection Team were aware of a 14-year-old girl that had become pregnant as the result of a relationship with a 12-year-old boy.

"A joint agency investigation with East Sussex County Council Children's Services has taken place which has considered the needs of both individuals and there will be continued support for these two young people in the future."

Thirteen-year-old Alfie is the latest in a long line of young UK teenagers to become parents.

The news that 4ft Alfie conceived baby Maisie when he was only 12 renewed calls for better sex education for the nation's children.

England has long had the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in western Europe.

Jenny Teague, of Dorset, was for many years regarded as the UK's youngest mum giving birth in 1997, aged just 12 to Sasha.

Zoe Hodgson, of Birstall, West Yorkshire, was 12 when she conceived and 13 when she gave birth in 2005 to son Leo, whom she used as inspiration to continue her studies, passing 11 GCSEs.

Edinburgh girl Samantha Robertson conceived her daughter Leigha at 14.

After giving birth and finding life difficult she launched "Sassy Mums" - a website for other young mothers.

Natalie Scanlan, 16, of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, made national news in 2005 by giving birth to triplets. She went on to feature in a television programme about the nation's youngest parents

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...ther-case.html

I think the whole thing smells a little fishy. The boy doesn't look as if he has the um... equipment to get someone pregnant now, let alone 9-months ago. I wonder if a DNA test was done to confirm paternity.

**~~Beorn~~** · 02-13-2009, 11:20 PM

I've been saying it all day, but that kid looks 8, maybe 9 at best. Not 13!

**~~Æmeric~~** · 02-13-2009, 11:27 PM

I noticed it was first reported in the Sun, so I thought it might be complete fiction.

But then the Telegraph reported on it so I thought there might be something to it.

**Birka** · 02-13-2009, 11:53 PM

He must have a good job to be able to support a kid these days.

**Loki** · 02-13-2009, 11:54 PM

At 13 he has accomplished more than I have in my 36 years. I'm jealous, if not embarrassed.

**~~Beorn~~** · 02-13-2009, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Loki

At 13 he has accomplished more than I have in my 36 years. I'm jealous, if not embarrassed.

I wouldn't be.

“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”

Sounds like a real catch.

**~~Æmeric~~** · 02-13-2009, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Loki

At 13 he has accomplished more than I have in my 36 years. I'm jealous, if not embarrassed.

Well maybe if you stopped using the dorky avatars....

**Fortis in Arduis** · 02-14-2009, 12:06 AM

People can get married at age fourteen in Spain.

The boy looks terribly young, but I hope that with support from both sets of parents (and grandparents) she and he will grow up fast.

I read that he was one of a very large family himself.

I can see a little of what the fuss is about, but this is generally an event to be celebrated. We have to hope for the best in these situations.

**~~Beorn~~** · 02-14-2009, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by Fortis_in_Arduis

I can see a little of what the fuss is about, but this is generally an event to be celebrated. We have to hope for the best in these situations.

Agreed!

It looks as if his Dad, although very lackadaisical with parental structure, seems squarely footed in making his son appreciate the enormity of the whole situation.

In honesty, I wish them all well. They are going to need it.