Judge Rules Woman Has No Parental Rights For Son She Raised With Ex-Wife, But Sperm Donor Does

On February 13, an Oklahoma judge ruled that while a woman may not have parental rights over a child she had raised with her ex, the sperm donor has parental rights. Legal claim As the father.

Kris Williams was married with Rebekah Wilson, when Wilson gave rise to a baby boy in August 2019. People. Williams was listed on the child’s birth certificate as “second mother,” The publication notes. After the split, things got more complicated. 

The ruling states that Williams chose a known sperm donation when she decided to have children. “in order for the minor child to know and have a relationship with his biological father.”

Wilson was open to the idea. “Known Sperm Donor Agreement” Harlan Vaughn was her sperm donor. According to the document, she would “conceive and raise a child,” and that “Wilson and the ‘conceived child’ It would constitute a ‘family,’” per court documents.

The documents further state that Wilson and Vaughn “participated in several at-home, non-medically assisted inseminations” in December 2018 which resulted in Wilson getting pregnant with Vaughn’A biological child.

Next up, Wilson and Williams Married Williams learned that Wilson was still pregnant on June 1, 2019. Williams was present at the baby’s birth and the child was given the last name of Williams. Vaughn wasn’t present at the birth but was notified according to the documents.

The filing also notes that Williams was an active part of the child’s life until November 2021, which is when Wilson filed a Victim Protective Order against Williams, citing “domestic abuse and harassment.” It was at this point that Wilson took the child and moved in with Vaughn, the child’s father.

Wilson filed for divorce in December 2021 from Williams. She stated that Williams and she did not have any children. “there is one child that was born during the marriage, however, the alleged/biological father has held himself out as the father for approximately the last year and a half, the minor child knows his biological father and his biological extended family.” Also, it was noted in documents that Vaughn was the child. “dad.”

Oklahoma judge ruled in favour of biological father Williams because she failed to seek legal adoption while still married to Wilson. 

“Williams, through her testimony and exhibits presented during the trial, admitted that she and Wilson discussed adoption. Furthermore, Williams admitted she knew that under Oklahoma Law she needed to adopt the minor child to establish parental rights,” Lynne McGuire, Oklahoma County District Judge, wrote her decision. 

“The reality is that the law provides a legal remedy available to Williams. She knowingly chose not to pursue it.”

Wilson and Vaughn gave birth to a baby boy in 2022. People reported that they all live together today. “The minor child now has a sibling that lives with him in the family home,” In her ruling, the judge said.

Williams’ lawyer plans to appeal the decision, claiming it’s discriminatory against the LGBTQ community. Robyn Hopkins argued that same-sex couples shouldn’t have to pursue legal adoption to be considered parents. 

“What happens when you’re in the middle of an adoption, but the two of you decide to separate? You have to be happily married because you need the birth mother to consent to the adoption,” Hopkins said.

“But also, what happens if you can’t afford an adoption or don’t know how to do it or if you don’t believe in marriage? There’s tons of straight people out there that do paternity cases, and they’re not married.”