Family Friend May Be True Father (Full Episode) | Paternity Court

You may be seated. Hello, Your Honor. Hello.

This is the case of Lindsey vs Dannenbrink. Thank you Jerome. Good day everyone.

Ms. Lindsey, you say that after years of lies from your mother and uncertainty about who your father is, you believe you finally found him. Yes, Your Honor.

You say everyone in town including his family knows Mr Dannenbrink is your father and you intend to prove that today, is that correct? Yes, it is. Mr Dannenbrik.

Yes, Your Honor. Mr Dannenbrik, you admit to having a sexual relationship with Ms. Lindsey's mother but say there is no way you're her biological father.

That's right, your Honor. I met her and we just had like a hit and run situation. She disappeared on me.

And, then, we got back together again. A couple days later, she went her way, and. .

. It just kept on for years that way, and there's no way she could be my daughter, Your Honor. So, Ms.

Lindsey, what do you mean, everyone in town knows that he's your father. What do you mean by that? Well, your Honor, okay, so, about 35 years ago, my mom does admit to having a child with Mr Dannenbrink.

And, um. . .

How many years ago? About 35, around there. And, when I was 16-years-old, an ex of Mr Dannenbrink came to my house, and accused me of being the child that they had had together.

And, when I asked my mother about that, she told me no, that it wasn't true. You were 16? Yes.

And an ex of Mr Dannenbrink comes to your house and says you're the child that your mother had with Mr Dannenbrink. Yes, Your Honor. In other words, the ex thinks that you're the child that came in-between her and Mr Dannenbrink.

Yes, your Honor. When she said this to you, what did you say? (CHUCKLING) First, I was like, "What you're wrong," there is no way.

And I came to my mother and I talked to her about it. And, she told me no, that he was not my father, that another man that she had told me was my dad, was my dad. She said that this other man is your father but you'd never met that man.

No. I still haven't so I don't know who that is. Okay, proceed.

So about four or five years ago, we all pretty much met up again in church and, um. . .

And I knew that Mr Dannenbrink was the person I had thought or at least was accused of being the child of, but I was too nervous to approach him for, um, pretty much, rejection. And so, I just left it alone and then, um, my mother and him had started talking again and we became more close I guess you would say? We lived right next door to each other and we started having BBQs together and spend a few holidays together and things like that.

The man next door, your neighbor. . .

Yes. You believe is your biological father? Yes.

But, you've never said anything to him. Not really. Wow, um, Ms.

Hampton. Yes, Your Honor. What was the nature of the relationship with Mr Dannenbrink?

Were you just dating, committed? Your Honor, this was, like, in the late seventies and we dated off and on and I was involved with somebody else, and he was involved with somebody else. Five years ago, we met back up and started having conversations and, um, a platonic relationship.

We're best of friends. So Mr Dannenbrink, did you know about the pregnancy? I did not, Your Honor.

She never told me she was pregnant. She never told me I even had a child. You didn't tell him you were pregnant?

Your Honor, I had no reason to tell him because he is not the father. So, you were confident of that? Yes I am 100%.

But were you sleeping with Mr Dannenbrink during the window of conception? Not as far as I know. I believe that I got pregnant between June and July.

What are holding, Ms. Lindsey? I'm holding a calendar.

Jerome, would you please hand me her evidence? Thank you. You're welcome.

What is this calendar outline? This calendar shows, um, for one the day that I was born and if you count back, if I was born full term, the conception would be between May and June. And, um, the doctors did say that I was born a month premature which puts my due date at March 11th, which, my mother would be right at that time.

However, I had no health problems when I was born. I was born at a normal weight. No, your, Your Honor.

Your Honor, Your Honor, she was born at five and a quarter pounds. She was, she was. .

. All of your children have been small. Premature.

Mr Dannenbrink. Yes, Your Honor. Do you agree with the dates set forth on this calendar?

I really couldn't tell you 'cause back then, it was hectic, I mean. . .

There was so much going on. . .

It was hectic? Yes. It was back in the seventies so I'm sure you understand what.

. . No, I was just a kid then.

(ALL LAUGHING) I did a lot of drugs back then. So, I really couldn't tell you. Oh, so hectic has many levels.

Yes, ma'am. So, physically and mentally hectic. Yes, Your Honor.

So, is it safe to say there was a lot of sex going on during that time? Yes, Your Honor. Much of which you may not have a full recollection?

Correct, your Honor. How long did your sexual relationship with Ms. Hampton last?

Eh, we got together, we were together for a couple of weeks and then she disappeared and then we meet again, a few years later, so, it was like that. So, you were just kind of, um, sex partners? Yes.

Correct, your Honor. Whatever. Yes, Your Honor.

(CROWD CHUCKLING) I don't know what's the word. Friends with benefits. But were you all friends?

I don't even get the friend part here. Two weeks. Two weeks.

JEROME: Bump and go. Bump and go? Okay, Jerome.

(ALL LAUGHING) JEROME: I don't know. Is that a legal term we just created, here, inPaternity Court? Okay.

So, Ms. Lindsey, your mother's saying that Mr Dannenbrink is not your biological father. Right.

What leads you to just not believe your mother? The doctors did say that I was born a month early but they also said that I was going to be a boy the entire time that she was pregnant with me. So, they could have been wrong.

Um, second thing, my mom does admit to having a child with Mr Dannenbrink. Um, throughout my life though, the dates have kind of changed a little bit. I remember at one time, she was an older sister.

Then I remember another time, she was a younger sister than me, and, um, she was still-born, at birth. Hold on, now! Wait a minute.

So, you've been told a story by your mother that she did have a child with Mr Dannenbrink. Yes. You were told this child passed away.

Yes, at birth. Yes. At birth?

Yes, your Honor, I had a stillborn. And, was that Mr Dannenbrink's child? Yes, Your Honor.

She never said anything to me about that. No. I admit that I did not.

You never mentioned it to him? No. Ms.

Lindsey, I'm looking at your face, it doesn't seem like you're believing a lot of your mother's testimony. I don't. Why?

She says that she has this child, um, I've never seen the papers, although I've asked a few times. And on top of that one, I went to the public record's place. There is no proof of her birth or death.

I don't know why there wouldn't be any record of her birth and death. But, I do have an autopsy report. Have you seen this report?

No. What I don't understand about this, Ms. Lindsey, is why would your mother lie about this?

Because it's not the first time. She didn't technically lie about another brother but she didn't tell me about another brother. She got pregnant and gave um, him up for adoption.

He went through social media then he found me, and I'm like, wait, what are you talking about, you're not my brother. And I called my mom at that time and I said, um, "I have another brother? " And she's like, "Oh, well, I thought he died.

" And I was like, "What? " And. .

. Wait a minute. You thought he died?

It was complicated, Your Honor. Um, I had gotten pregnant by a man that was married, not knowing that he was married. The agreement was that he was going to take the baby.

Because, I financially and mentally could not handle having another baby. But you thought he had passed away? Yes, Your Honor, because that's what my mother and the doctors had told me.

So, Ms. Lindsey, even if we have several stories, that lead us to believe that maybe your mother is not being completely forthright. .

. Right. Why?

What is her motivation? What is the reason why she would lie? And say Mr Dannenbrink is not your biological father if he could be?

I don't know, I am not my mom. So, I don't know exactly what goes through her head. I have children and I don't lie to any of them.

So, I don't understand why. Are you at the point now where you just feel like you've caught your mom into so many lies that you don't even know why she lies, you just know she does. No, Your Honor, I don't.

So, what was your childhood like, growing up? All of these stories? What is this like, for you?

Um, (CHUCKLING). Very crazy as a child. I had a big hole and I filled it with a lot of things that probably were not the right things to fill it with.

Um, I am still searching for that, that father figure. I had a step-dad at one point that abandoned me as well, so. .

. (SNIFFLING) And so, you had a relationship. .

. Yes. With your stepfather.

For a small time, until he had his own child with my mum. And then, I still was the step-daughter, the step-child, so. .

. So, you're basically alone in all of this. Kinda, sort of.

I mean, I had my friends. For a small time, which is kinda funny I had one friend that was like my best friend and he just happened to be his son. Wait, that could potentially be your brother.

Yes. But, you were all good friends? Yes.

Just friends, I hope? Yes, Your Honor. (ALL LAUGHING) That goes through my head, trust and believe me.

Not knowing exactly who my dad is, it goes through my head as to which ones I've dated might have been, so. . .

(CHUCKLING) I just try not to think about that. Wow, I mean, listen. We can chuckle about it, but the truth is, if you don't know who your father is.

. . Right.

You could have dated your brother. Yes. And it's just as simple.

Yeah. And so, you have a photo that you've submitted to the court. Yes.

That is his son and myself. Do you see a resemblance? A little bit.

Just a little? Yeah, I mean, I do look like my mum, a lot. Mr Dannenbrink, do you see a resemblance?

I do not. Your Honor. Okay.

So, Ms. Lindsey, what is your relationship like with Mr Dannenbrink? Right now.

I want to say he is like a father figure, to a point. We kinda joke about him being my dad and me being his daughter? How do you joke about it?

Just randomly, like people say, "Oh, you guys look alike," or something like that, and things like that. Or he would say, "Good morning my beautiful daughter," or something. I've never had that before, so.

That's good. Does he know your children? Yes.

All four of my children. Um, they don't have grandpas in their lives. So, he has graciously told my children they're more than welcome to call him grandpa.

That's right. And they do. You submitted a letter to the court, about how much, this truly hurt you.

Will you please read that letter? Yes, I can. I said, 35 years I have walked through this life wondering who I am.

(SNIFFLING) Who's blood runs through me? Who do I look like? Where do I get my eye color from?

Where do I get my nose? These are just a few questions that have plagued my mind. The worst ones though, are the ones that still hurt me.

The questions like why did you leave? Did you even know about me? If you did, would it even have changed anything?

Would you have been proud of me? Why was I not good enough? Take your time, honey.

From the moment that I can remember I've always really wanted just my dad. That was honest, and true, and real and plain. You know, as I sit in this chair day after day a lot of times, people say, "Well, it's gone on 30-something years "I mean, why aren't you past this?

" When I say it was honest, and true, and simple and plain, because it was it was the spirit of a child. And it is your inner-child. It's that child in you that still does not have the pieces to her puzzle, that she deserves.

And that child is going to live on and live on, and she's gonna want those answers and need those answers. And when you hear those words, mom, does it hurt you to hear? Yes Your Honor, it does.

But, I still stand firm that Mr Dannenbrink is not her dad. And Mr Dannenbrink when you heard those words, I see how emotional you are. What are you feeling at this moment?

I don't think she is my daughter but I'm hoping she is. That's beautiful. I think it is time for the result.

Jerome. These results were prepared by DNA Diagnostics and they read as follows. In the case of Lindsey v.

Dannenbrink, when it comes to 35-years-old Bobby Lindsey, it has been determined by this court Mr Dannenbrink, you are not her father. Sorry. Sorry.

It doesn't matter, I still consider her my daughter. How are you feeling Ms. Lindsey?

I know this was difficult for you. Confused but happy at the same time for closure on that part. Ms.

Hampton. Yes, ma'am. I have to ask you.

Do you know who your daughter biological father is? I still stand firm that it is another person. He would admit to photographs 'cause he's seen photographs of her through my mother, but, physically, he would not admit it.

Do you know where he is? No, Your Honor, I don't. Do you have any way to find out?

Yes, Your Honor. Time is a very powerful thing. People grow things happen in life, that shift people's perspective.

You never know what can happen. I believe you're strong enough to just ask the question. And if he's willing, you can come right back here and we will help you.

Thank you. You're very welcome. We have counseling and resources for you all.

I wish you the very, very best of luck. Court is adjourned. Thank you, Your Honor.