Topic : 12/25 Parent Trap

As me and my husband sat watching this show it angered me at how this country has gone completely mad. The words of the child of this couple sounded like her mother was talking. As we sat seeing fingers being pointed at this poor man for a mistake he made in dealing with an issue (as all of us do as parents), I saw absolutely no remorse from the so-called mother of this child. She lied from the get go. She should be made to pay this man for back child support. I think if all women everywhere had reprocussions for thier actions, there wouldnt be men out there being forced to pay for kids that are not theirs! Why should this man have to pay? I dont care what the attorney who supports innocent men having to pay just because it may hurt the childs feelings says. She is wrong! If anyone should have to pay, it is the mother. Why wasnt anyone telling the mother that she needed to get counseling for her and her daughter so SHE could explain why she is such a liar and be made to explain why she lied to everyone and caused this whole mess in the first place? This really angers me and my husband. This girl may have been hurt but she was only copying what she has heard from her mother over and over.

Women should have the same responsibility as men and I think this is a case of discrimination of men. This does happen every day. I see it where I work and I work for a division that forces men to pay child support.

It is all about "collection"... no one cares where it comes from or what poor mans toes they have to step on. These men are forced to pay child support and medical on kids that everyone knows is not thiers. Women need to go to jail for this and this should be a crime. I hope something in legislation changes to help these poor men. The law, as it is, actually encourages women to lie. Why should they tell the truth? There is no punishment. 

I totally agree with this person.

I feel sorry for Selna she did nothing wrong to be treated this way.. Enrique should have discussed this situation with Maria even though they are divorced they both should of had Selina's best interest at heart..  So many times parents forget about the kids in divorce.  Sometimes the new spouse should stay out of these issues.  They only think about themselves and the money.  I did everything I could to have my ex husband see my daughter I never wanted her to pay for our mistakes and feel that her DAD didn't care about her.

I let him not pay child support for three years and then I took him to court and now he hates me for what i did to him in court.  Well thats ok..  I just don't understand why everyone thinks that the FATHER is the only one suffering.  The kids are the ones who are suffering. 

Tell me what the difference would be if someone adopted a child and then divorced and didn't want to pay child support.  That child is not theirs biologically either.  The only difference I see is that they knew they where adopting.  Would the courts make they responsible? 

it would be great if DIVORCE didn't exist in this world.  Would they be having this discussion if they had not gotten divorced.  Would Enrique ever thought Selina wasn't his if that would not have happen.  It is truly sad.

 As a retired child support officer in California, it appears the judge considered Enrique to be Selina's presumptive father in spite of the DNA test. The judge has every right to do that. After that length of time it isn't about what's best for Mom or "Dad", it's about what's best for Selina, which is what it should be and what it should have always been about. The judge obviously made the determination that continuation of the parent-child relationship between Enrique and Selina is what was best for Selina. Enrique should have left it at that and his current wife needs to stay where she belongs, out of it.

While I believe that infidelity is wrong we can not know what happens in someone else's relationship that results in affairs.  I think this woman was wrong to not tell her husband the truth about the possibilty that the child was not his.  He was never given the choice to raise a child that was not his.  There are  some very honerable men that will willingly take a child that is not biologically theirs and raise them as their own. Maybe he would have been one of them if given the choice.  This man should not have abandoned this child emotionally.  He was hurt, confused and frustrated and directed it on the wrong person.  I hope that he and his daughter can work through that and reestablish a relationship.  I do not think he should have to pay for a child that is not his.  I also think it is very wrong that a biological father has missed out on knowing he has a daughter.  This woman's bad judgement has caused hurt and loss for so many people and while I don't think she is evil I do think she has to be responsible for that.  Re payment of child support to this man and contacting the biological father would be a good start.  Who knows this girl could end up with 3 men who want to be part of her life.  Hopefully it will not be too late to repair and begin healing these relationships. 

Having worked in child support for many years, I have to say that these are the most disturbing cases.  I was totally appalled by the way Gloria Allred kept laying the blame for this mess on Enrique. And the mother had the nerve to sit there smiling like she wasnt to blame for this entire mess. This was totally the mother's fault.  I am mostly sorry for the child, Selena. I don't believe that Enrique should be ordered to continue to pay child support, but I do believe that he should still play an active role in his daughter's life.  She will need him and I believe he wil need to continue that bond with her.  I think both the mother and Enrique's wife should grow up. The mother refuses to take blame for her actions & the current wife seems more bitter than Enrique, she needs to stay out of this and let Enrique decide what is best for him and his child.  And Selena may not be his biological child, but she is his.  After10 yearsof being involved in this childs life, Enrique definetely has rights that should not be easily discarded.  Gloria Allred is just looking at the financial aspect and she really has no idea what is in the best interest of the child.  Ordering a father in this situtation to continue to pay child support will only increase the hurt and bitterness.  Money should be taken out of the equation - meaning, that Idont feel the mother should have to pay back the prior support.  They should just wipe the slate clean and come to some terms that best suit the interest of Selena. Enrique should continue to have a relationship with Selen and voluntarily provide for her as he chooses.  If Enrique is a good father, he will think long and hard before giving up his relationship with hi child - I can't see a loving father just walking away from a child he's raised.

I totally agree, all of this, walk a mile in their shoes and we all have skeletons nonsense. Please....................

Can we stop excusing inexcusable behavour!!!!

I had said that I was not going to comment on anymore posts but I had to chime in on this one!!!!!!!!

NOt only pay, but if this ever happens to your son, nephew, uncle, etc. see how you feel then. NOONE wants to be manipulated and conned. This should be punishable by law, in every state!!!

The big mistake he did is that he decided to cut off his visitation...but i dont think its fair for him to cont. pay child support with courts' order   .He can still voluntarily continue his relationship ( financially or any kind of support ) to his non biological daughter without courts order. For me court laws are made by humans which pertains to legat issues , so why would you pay for the messed or sin caused by others?But in this case we are dealing with relationships, so he should continue to function as it is and support voluntarily with all his heart without courts order. With courts order you are forced to do it which to me is not right!

As long as theres a smooth transition and well explained to the child then it should be fine..Hopefully the child will eventually forgive and have open communication with her non-bio father..

It is sad to say that  family laws are not fair! it always in favors to the mother!!!!Law makers should need to re-assessed the laws and do something to prevent parent trap because this is a serious injury!!PLsssssssss...