This is crazy.

 

Texas man ordered to pay $65G in child support for kid who isn't his | Fox News

 

A Texas man is battling a court order that mandates he must pay tens of thousands in child support for a child that he did not biologically father and who he met only once.

 

In 2003, a child support court in Texas ruled that Gabriel Cornejo, 45, had to pay child support to his ex-girlfriend who had recently given birth because she vowed that there was no way he wasn’t the rightful dad.

 

Cornejo, who is currently raising three children of his own and two nephews, claimed that he was not made aware of this and only found out about the child support payments last year when a deputy served him court papers claiming that the state of Texas lists him as having another child. He soon met the minor for the first and only time – describing her as a “wonderful girl” – but after taking a DNA test, learned she was not his after all.

 

Only Cornejo’s ex-girlfriend and the state still want the $65,000 in back payments.

 

“I never thought in my whole life I would have to defend myself of something that I am innocent of,” he said.

 

Texas’ family code, chapter 161, states that even if one is not the biological father, they still owe support payments that accrued before the paternity test proves otherwise. In Cornejo’s case, that amounts to some $65,000.

 

His ex-girlfriend’s attorney, Carel Stith, claimed that money was taken out of Cornejo's paycheck several years ago and he didn’t contest it, and that in itself can satisfy a court argument that he should have handled the matter long ago.

 

“There can be consequences, even if you don’t do anything,” Stith told local news.

 

Cornejo and his attorney, Cheryl Coleman, must now persuade a judge to re-open the case – as the original court order cannot be amended. If that doesn’t happen, he must pay up or face time behind bars.

The other story I read said he was never served papers for the original court appearance. And the claim that money was garnished from his check was for $31 twice. I hope there is more to this story. And if I was the ex-girlfriend, would I still go after him knowing he wasn't the father?

I guess the real dad had a thinner wallet.

Texas doesnt mess around with their garnishments, unfortunately for this guy, it will end up costing him more in attorneys fees to get this corrected than $65k in Texas.

The other story I read said he was never served papers for the original court appearance. And the claim that money was garnished from his check was for $31 twice. I hope there is more to this story. And if I was the ex-girlfriend, would I still go after him knowing he wasn't the father?

 

If she could get 65K out of him, damn straight she'll go for it. Feel bad for this dude.

Send me to jail.

Send me to jail.

 

I almost believe I would take that option too. No way I'm paying 65,000 bucks for a child that DNA proves is not mine. I wouldn't ask to go to jail by no means, but I wouldn't pay it, which would be the same result.

Lesson learned. Don't move to Texas.

Time to start a campaign against the state attorney prosecuting this.