Woman & Mother Want Ex To Support Her Son, He Denies Child

In the case of Mahan v. Shrum, an Arkansas woman is determined to identify the father of her son, a quest that has turned into a painful and complicated legal battle. Mahan, the woman at the heart of this case, has spent years raising her child without knowing who the biological father is, and now she is seeking answers in the courtroom.

Mahan’s journey began several years ago when she found out she was pregnant. She had been in a brief relationship with Shrum, who she says was one of the men she had been involved with around the time she conceived. However, Shrum has denied being the father, and another man also came forward, further complicating the situation. Now, Mahan is seeking legal assistance to finally determine who her child’s father is, hoping that a paternity test will provide clarity for herself, her son, and everyone involved.

“It’s been hard on me and it’s been hard on my son,” Mahan explained in court. “I need to know who the father is, not just for me, but for him. He deserves to know who his father is.”

The case has sparked tension not only between Mahan and Shrum but also between Mahan and her family. While she insists that Shrum is the most likely candidate, there are many lingering doubts that have cast a shadow over their relationship. She feels that Shrum has avoided responsibility for her son, leaving her to deal with the financial and emotional burden of raising a child alone.

Shrum, however, has strongly denied being the father. His defense rests on the assertion that he and Mahan had a short-lived relationship, and that he had no idea she was pregnant until after the birth. He insists that he was not involved in the child’s life at the time of conception and, therefore, cannot be the father.

“I’m not denying that I had a relationship with her,” Shrum told the court. “But the timing doesn’t add up. There were other men involved, and I don’t believe I’m the father.”

To further complicate matters, another man, identified as Hawkins, has also claimed that he could be the father. He too was in a relationship with Mahan around the time she conceived. Hawkins has expressed a willingness to take a paternity test, but he has remained quiet about the situation until now, leaving Mahan with yet another possibility to consider.

In court, Mahan broke down while describing the emotional toll of not knowing her son’s biological father. She said that her child has grown up asking questions about his father, and it has been difficult for her to provide any answers. She explained that the uncertainty has affected both her and her son’s sense of identity.

“Every time he asks me about his dad, I don’t know what to say,” Mahan said, wiping away tears. “It breaks my heart. I just want to give him the truth, so he can have closure and not wonder anymore.”

Mahan’s legal team is advocating for a paternity test to settle the matter once and for all. They argue that the child deserves to know who his father is, both for emotional and legal reasons. They stress that paternity must be determined so that the father can fulfill his responsibilities, whether financially or otherwise, and so that the child can grow up with a sense of understanding about his family background.

On the other side, Shrum’s defense lawyer has raised concerns about the timing of Mahan’s request for a paternity test, questioning whether it is truly necessary after so many years. They suggest that the child has already established a bond with Mahan as the sole parental figure and that the legal pursuit of paternity could disrupt this relationship.

“Why does it matter now?” the defense attorney asked. “The child has grown up without this man being in his life. Is it fair to suddenly introduce this uncertainty into his world?”

Despite these arguments, Mahan is steadfast in her belief that her son deserves the truth. She insists that the child’s need to know who his father is outweighs any concerns about disrupting the family dynamic. “It’s about him. It’s always been about him,” Mahan said. “I need to do this for him, for his future.”

The legal battle has brought to light the difficulties that come with navigating family and paternity issues in a court of law. For Mahan, this case is not just about a test or a legal decision; it is about providing her son with the clarity he deserves, even if it means confronting painful truths and uncertain outcomes.

As the case continues, the judge has expressed the importance of determining paternity, recognizing the emotional and legal stakes involved. A decision on the paternity test is expected in the coming weeks, and it will ultimately determine who will be legally responsible for the child moving forward.

For Mahan, this case represents a final chance to provide her son with answers and to give him a sense of stability in a situation that has been fraught with uncertainty. “I just want him to know who his father is, and to stop wondering if it’s him or someone else,” Mahan said. “It’s time to know the truth.”

The court’s decision will not only determine the father of the child but will also have long-lasting implications for everyone involved. As Mahan waits for a resolution, she remains focused on what matters most: providing her son with the answers he deserves, no matter the outcome of the case.