Not puberty yet.
Alfie, 12, met Chantelle in 2008 while playing in Lower Dicker, East Sussex, where they lived. His mother thought their acquaintance was harmless and didn’t worry about them being alone, especially because Alfie hadn’t hit puberty.
The Independent reported that the case spurred complaints about Britain’s “under-educated” and “over-sexualized” society. England has a relatively high teenage pregnancy rate compared to other wealthy nations; only the US and New Zealand have higher rates.
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Nigel Waterson, Member of Parliament for Eastbourne, voiced concern, calling it a sad story. This raises serious problems regarding sex education rather than relationship education in schools and the sexualization of society.”
Alfie was asked if he could support his family in a memorable YouTube interview. His reply: “What’s financially?”
Details that surprise
Rereading this story from a few years ago reveals some surprising details. The couple didn’t discover Chantelle was pregnant until her 12-week doctor visit. She said she missed one tablet. They concealed the pregnancy for six weeks until Chantelle’s mother discovered her big tummy.
Alfie remarked, “I thought it would be good to have a baby,” but was afraid to inform his parents. Alfie’s father said his son wanted to be the first to hold his daughter and be a good father. He might have ignored it and played PlayStation at home. But he’s been hospitalized daily, he added.
In February 2009, Alfie became a father when his daughter, Maisie Roxanne, was born at 7 pounds 3 ounces.
The 13-year-old’s newborn photos appeared like he had a new sibling rather than a child.
The time was wild. My first time holding Maisie was amazing. According to Daily Mail, Alfie said, “I was too young to understand the consequences of being a dad but I liked holding her and immediately loved her.”
Too unbelievable?
The story looked ridiculous, but the reality will soon reveal itself. Six weeks after “his” daughter was born, Alfie received a shocking surprise that changed everything.
DNA testing proved Alfie Patten was not the father. Tyler Barker, Alfie’s friend and 14-year-old, was the real father.
Alfie’s mother, Nicola, suspected something was wrong because she couldn’t believe her son was sexually active. Just like that, Alfie was no longer the youngest UK father.
