Baby-faced boy is father at 13

[quiet heartbeat]

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 dad Dennis told how the lad does not really understand the enormity of his situation — but seemed desperate to be a devoted and responsible father.


He wanted to be the first to hold Maisie after the hospital birth. He tenderly kisses the baby and gives her a bottle.

And Dennis, 45, said: "He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day."
Maisie was conceived after Chantelle and Alfie — just 12 at the time — had a single night of unprotected sex.

They found out about the baby when Chantelle was 12 weeks pregnant.
But they kept it a secret until six weeks later when Chantelle’s mum Penny, 38, became suspicious about her weight gain and confronted her.

After that Alfie’s family told only those closest to them for fear he would be "demonised" at school.

Chantelle gave birth to Maisie on Monday night after a five-hour labour at Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex.

Last night she told The Sun: "I’m tired after the birth. I was nervous after going into labour but otherwise I was quite excited."

Chantelle told how she discovered she was expecting after going to her GP with "really bad" stomach pains. She said: "Me and Alfie went. The doctor asked me whether we had sex. I said yes and he said I should do a pregnancy test. He did the test and said I was pregnant. I started crying and didn’t know what to do.

"He said I should tell my mum but I was too scared.

"We didn’t think we would need help from our parents. You don’t really think about that when you find out you are pregnant. You just think your parents will kill you."

But Penny figured out what was going on after buying Chantelle a T-shirt which revealed her swelling tum.

Chantelle admitted she and Alfie — who are both being supported by their parents — would be accused of being grossly irresponsible. She said: "We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now. We will be good loving parents.

"I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.

"I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad."

Chantelle and Maisie were released from hospital yesterday. They are living with Penny, Chantelle’s jobless dad Steve, 43, and her five brothers in a rented council house in Eastbourne. The family live on benefits. Alfie, who lives on an estate across town with mum Nicola, 43, spends most of his time at the Steadmans’ house.

He is allowed to stay overnight and even has a school uniform there so he can go straight to his classes in the morning.

Alfie’s dad, who is separated from Nicola, believes the lad is scared deep down.

He said: "Everyone is telling him things and it’s going round in his head. It hasn’t really dawned on him. He hasn’t got a clue of what the baby means and can’t explain how he feels. All he knows is mum and dad will help.
"When you mention money his eyes look away. And she is reliant on her mum and dad. It’s crazy. They have no idea what lies ahead."

Dennis, who works for a vehicle recovery firm, described Alfie as "a typical 13-year-old boy".

He said: "He loves computer games, boxing and Manchester United." Dennis, who has fathered nine kids, told how he was "gobsmacked" when he discovered Alfie was to be a dad, too.

He said: "When I spoke to him he started crying. He said it was the first time he’d had sex, that he didn’t know what he was doing and of the complications that could come.

"I will talk to him again and it will be the birds and the bees talk. Some may say it’s too late but he needs to understand so there is not another baby."


Chantelle’s mum said: "I told her it was lovely to have the baby but I wish it was in different circumstances. We have five children already so it’s a big financial responsibility. But we are a family and will pull together and get through.

"She’s my daughter. I love her and she will want for nothing."

Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: "We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.

"At the same time this is symptomatic of the over-sexualisation of our youngsters and shows the policy of value-free sex education just isn’t working."

Britain’s youngest known father is Sean Stewart. He became a dad at 12 when the girl next door, 15-year-old Emma Webster, gave birth in Sharnbrook, Bedford, in 1998. They split six months later.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle2233878.ece

[McClaire]

oh.my.god.

[CharlottefromCA]

Originally Posted by McClaire

oh.my.god.

my exact words...

[justlooking]

I saw this on the news....the girl is like twice the size of his tiny self (slight exaggeration permitting). he looks like he's 10.

[eternitygoddess]

Um...um...um...

That boy looks like a kid himself......does he even grasp the enormity of the situation?

I do not know what to say...

Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: "We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.

No comment.

[lemeray]

Had to post the picture ...the sun

[Working Girl]

Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 and Chantelle, 15

Why is she dating a 13 year old?

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

I am sure that can buy you one bottle.

"I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.

Good lord.

Chantelle and Maisie were released from hospital yesterday. They are living with Penny, Chantelle’s jobless dad Steve, 43, and her five brothers in a rented council house in Eastbourne. The family live on benefits. Alfie, who lives on an estate across town with mum Nicola, 43, spends most of his time at the Steadmans’ house.

The cycle doesn't end.

Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: "We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.

You say courage, I say. No, never mind!!!!!

[lemeray]

I also don't understand why was "dating" him at 12 or why a teenager would want sleep with a boy She looks old enough to be his mum...the whole situation makes feel sick...

[nat_attak]

OMG ew! why would any parents let this happen? this is disturbing.

[magpie]

Oh God, that poor little baby... The postscript at the end of the article is so sad about the other young couple who split six months after the baby was born... I have friends in their 40s whose marriage is breaking up from the stress of having to cope with taking care of a baby. I can't even begin to understand how these children will cope with the stress of having a baby.

[eternitygoddess]

I don't think they will "cope", that's the problem.

They are incapable of doing any form of parenting and will most likely pass the baby off to their parents.

[Working Girl]

Just to add. I understand wanting to make the best out of the situation. What is wrong with adoption. I am sure the baby wouldn't be in the system for long and would probably have a better life than he would ever have living with them. I only say this because of her parents and his parents.

I remember one of my best friends got pregnant at 16. She told no one and continued to go to school several weeks later. She had great parents and family that supported her.

[ponytrot]

no words.



seriously. what the heck is wrong with: society/sex education/their parents?!?

[yellowetpink]

I knew this would be a British thing just by reading the title

This makes me feel kinda sick..

[The_Ida]

Why is this relevant...?