Sperm donor kept mothers in the dark about an incurable genetic condition
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Sperm donor kept mothers in the dark about an incurable genetic condition
The desire to fall pregnant and have a family is a fairly natural human urge. Starting a family is a life-changing event, and for many people, it's a fulfilment of a lifelong dream. But what if that dream turned into a nightmare? What if you found out that the father of your child had a serious, incurable genetic condition that he had kept hidden from you?
You'd be furious, heartbroken, and devastated – and you'd have every right to be.
Source: news.com.au
As reported by The Sun, James went ahead with private sperm donations despite the knowledge of his existing genetic condition, Fragile X syndrome.
This inheritable genetic condition leads to low IQ and developmental delay, and unfortunately, there's no current cure for this condition.
James initially signed an agreement saying he did not want any contact with some of the children. However, he has since petitioned the courts to force multiple women to allow him to have some time with four of the babies until they turn three.
Source: National Fragile X foundation
Three mums opposed the petition of James. Mrs Justice Lieven, sitting in UK court, denied James of parental responsibility. Not just that, the judge also ruled James to stop other women from using him as a sperm donor.
A mum, only named SW, 25, told the judge how she contacted James after seeing his advertisement online. Her now 3-year-old child, named only as R, was born in October, followed by a second child named only as P, now a two-year-old.
The judge said that James gave SW a closely spaced three-page document that is highly legalistic, stating that he would not have any right over the child or a right to contact the child. On the third page of the document, it's said that James had Fragile X syndrome but did explain what it meant.
Since SW has problems with reading, plus the jargon used by James, she became extremely vulnerable. She admitted that she didn't read that far into the agreement leaving her unaware of the condition.
After SW gave birth to the child, James still often visited her and the baby. SW then became pregnant with a second child.
During the lockdown, James lived at SW's home until she asked him to leave in June 2020. She claimed that James made sexual comments to her, rubbed his erection against her, and even showered with the toddler. Aside from these sexually provoking instances, James also attacked SW on June 25, 2020, leaving her with bruises on her neck and back. James was arrested immediately after the incident and was never seen again by SW. James has never met P, born in December of the same year.
Source: Johnson&Johnson
Mrs Justice Lieven said Mr MacDougall obtained a court order from a different court permitting him to have regular contact with B, despite the child having returned from contact with MacDougall with non-accidental bruises.
The judge adjourned the cases until she received a report from social services. She discovered James to be a complex individual with learning disabilities and autism, with entrenched viewpoints, concrete thinking, and a significant lack of awareness.
It's absolutely heartbreaking to think about what these mothers and their children are going through. No one should have to deal with such a devastating betrayal, and no child should have to suffer from an incurable condition. We can only hope that James will be held accountable for his actions and that the mothers and children affected by this will be able to find some measure of peace and justice.
How about you? What are your thoughts on this case of James? Let us know in the comment sections below!
Know more about Fragile X syndrome by watching this video below:
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