Topic : 12/25 Parent Trap

I would bet you anything that if the money equation was taken out of the child support issues to TRAP a father for child support payments, there would be more consideration given to getting pregnant in the first place.

 

We all know of too many children fathered by numerous fathers just so a mother can get the ticket for child support payments.  It's about time someone stepped up to the plate and said this is wrong.

 

It is sad for the child that she (Selina) had to experience the heartache to find out that her father is not who she thought he was.  I do feel for her, that Enrique had told her in the fashion that he did.

 

If America made these women more accountible for their actions and told the truth there would not be so many lives hurt.  Gloria Allred has it right that he should continue to be the father BUT she is dead wrong to advocate that he needs to continue the child support.  The courts need to change this and see the moral injustice caused to these men.  They are treated as criminals if they do not pay the child support even if they are not the father...  WRONG ..  WRONG.. WRONG!!!!

 

Child support was created when mothers were not working:  most of the women in the US are now working and they need to be responsible for their own actions.

but the lawyer that was on there was right my oldest is 8 never seen his father and he is so behind on child support is not funny at all

I just finished watching this episode and it totally angered me that Maria (the mother) is sitting there as if she's done nothing wrong.. She knew Enrique wasn't the father from day one.  I believe that the lawmakers of this country should move toward passing a law that requires all children in this country to be DNA tested from birth with whomever their mother is listing as the "father".  It's simply unjust for a man to have to take care of a child who isn't his.  As for the children that get caught in this, I believe that the man should stay in the child's life (if he wants).  ALL of the blame is on the mother who deliberately lies to the "father".  To curb these cases, lawmakers should move swiftly to pass a law on mandatory birth DNA tests. We waste tax money on insignificant things like an Iraq war and frivilous landmarks and whatnot....why not spend money on something that will 1) protect men against parenting fraud and 2) protect children from this heartache?

Dr.Phil
After watching to show I think the mother knew what she was doing just gain money from the dad. The mother showed no remorse at all. I think the mom should go after the real dad for support.Then if the daughter wants a relatioship with the man it should happen,Dr.Phil just take a hard look accross the whole united states and you will see alot of this going.not only does it hurt children it also hurts everyone ,From dad, mother, grandparent and extened familes too.

Unfortunately this is not an unusual situation. After teaching and working with children 40 years this story is one of many similar ones I've experienced. It is tragic for the young lady. I can't even imagine what her "father" was thinking other than to get even with the mother thru the child. Here is a way I would have suggested it be done. The child should NOT know until at least 18. Father should only give support for one child,but still have a relationship with both girls. WHY ON EARTH DO THE CHILDREN KNOW DETAILS OF ANY CHILD SUPPORT??? Enrique should have received counseling to come to grips with his anger toward the mother, but never let the daughter know until the appropriate time. I always tell kids that many adults do not make the smartest decisions. But they were kids once and as kids they know the truth - ALWAYS. It was up to both of the adults to protect her. Now that she knows it seems something of her childhood was robbed, because she does have to deal with it (and is) way better than the 2 of them.

I am sorry, but I have to side with Enrique.  His then wife committed adultery, and that is a deal breaker.  She knew that there was a possiblity that Enrique was NOT the father, yet she said nothing.  She committed the act and made the conscience decision NOT to tell him. Did she really expect him to be the one to question if Selena was his?  Give me a break.  Once it was out in the open, and I agree Enrique  made a mistake in the way that he chose to tell Selena (he is human and humans make mistakes) his ex-wife should not have expected that he continue to support Selena.  The ex-wife should find the biological father and have the courts make him pay child support.  Had she had Selena as a result of an affair, one night stand,  or whatever, the biological father is the one who is responsible.  Just because she put Enrique's name on the birth certificate means nothing, and I cannot believe that the courts dismissed it simply because too much time has passed.  I agree with some of those who say that perhaps DNA should be a part of the procedures that the hospitals do when a child is born, that way the Enrique's of this world would not find themselves in the emotional situations as well as the financial dilemma that occurs when women lie.  Does the mother really care with what happened to Selena, or is she more concerned with the money?  It seems to me that that is what is more important to her.  To see her laugh in the clips and say what she did really upset me.  She should repay Enrique by getting Selena the proper counseling or therapy she may need to overcome Enrique's mistake. and not expect any more money from Enrique regardless what the courts have said.  With time hopefully wounds will heal and they may continue to see each other.  While some men will accept someone else's child as their own, he unfortunately has not - maybe because he is now divorced.  Whatever the case Enrique is the victim as well as Selena and Selena has her mother to thank for this horrible mess.

The mother should be held accountable for her cheating on her husband and telling lies to her husband to make him believe the child was his for 10 long years.  He should keep the physiological aspect of the relationship with the child but absolutely no further money should be paid to the mother who already abused her husband with the lies.  Money should come from biological fathers only and if DNA proves otherwise then no money should be squeezed out of the non biological father.

 

The mother who lies has no right to get any money from any non biological dad EVER. 

Maria...Liar YES! She also has no intregity.  Pay back the money if its not important.

Its actually quite simple.  A man determined  not to be the biological father should have no further financial responsibility, unless he chooses.  He should absolutely be given visitation rights, that is in the best interest of the child.  The biological father should be located and should be paying  child support.  A mother who lies about paternity should be prosecuted ...... its FRAUD!   We now have the technology to determine paternity so lets use it.

In this particular case it was the mother who is totally responsible for the whole mess.  The father, daughter and sister are all VICTIMS.          Kris from PA.

I really coundn't believe what i was hearing on the show.....from the parents, the second wives, the lawyers.....What about the children. The dads who were "deceived" cared and supported these children for many years. Did they not begin to care for the child. How could they just suddenly say to someone who they thought was theirs "Sorry kid, you're not mine so asta la vista". Honestly stop thinking about whether you're right or wrong. You are 100% correct that your ex lied to you, but that child looked up to you and considered you their father. It says very little of you to just give up all your rights to the child. You're even worse than the ex who lied to you about the child's paternity.