Cries of a Helpless
Father
November 29, 2009, my son Davontay was
born. I was not allowed to be there because I was not married to the mother and
she was in a relationship with someone who does not like me. By not being there, my name does not appear on
his birth certificate and Tennessee Law says I have no rights. Before my son
came into this world I was there and have been there every since. I am allowed
to see my son, as long as her girlfriend does not feel threaten by me.
Last summer, my son was shot in the
leg while at his mom’s apartment in Whitehaven, in Memphis, TN. He was only 18
months old. Someone shot in one room 13 times, at a couch that the mother
sleeps on. At the time, her and her girlfriend was into it. No one has been arrested
, nor does anyone have any ideal of who shot my son. At this time, I went to
Shelby County Juvenile Court to Establish Paternity Rights (3 times, at $100.00
each time filed ). She receives the paperwork to be in court and I told her of
the court dates. She called me the morning of the court dates and told me she was
not coming. After going before the Judge, I was told by the Judge, “he would
not force her to show up." Child Protective Service places my son back in
her care. I went to Shelby County Child Support Service and tried to put myself
on child support. I took the DNA test and they sent her the paperwork to bring
my son in to take the DNA test. Again, she did not show and nothing was done to
stop her from get State Money.
Now today I sit here typing this
letter as my son lays at Le Bonheur Hospital with 3rd degree burns
to his lower body. From what I have learned, is my son was with my baby mother’s
girlfriend and that she put him is a tub of hot water. This happens Thursday,
March 1, 2012 and they do not bring my son to the hospital until 4 pm Friday
evening, March 2, 2012. My son suffer in pain for 24 hours with is private
parts and his butt peeling skin. Not his mother nor her girlfriend brought him
to the hospital, but his aunt brought him to the hospital and told police and
hospital staff that it happen earlier Friday morning and that she had him and
he fell into the tub. Hospital staff did not buy this and called Memphis Police
Department and Child Protective Services. By the end of the night, after
everyone had lied, from my son mother to his grandmother, no one knows the
truth.
Instead of my son’s mother staying
by his side, she was more worried about the trouble her girlfriend was in. She
did not stay at the hospital with him last night, I did. However, today DCS
came to visit, and once again, I was told I had no rights to my son. I asked Le
Bonheur Social Worker if they could do a DNA test on my son, and me I was told “NO”. I have done more than any man can do. The
court will not help. The State will not help. Who will help me protect my son?
When will I receive
my rights as a father and be able to protect my son? After my son is dies and
then I will be, call a “dead beat dad.”
