News Man jailed for not supporting someone else's child

**BigMeatballDave** · GBM 8-12-15

ADEL, Ga. – A Georgia man spent more than a year behind bars for failing to pay child support for a child that wasn't his, but he was released after DNA tests showed he wasn't the father.

Frank Hatley, 50, had been jailed since June 2008 for not making payments, but two separate DNA tests in the last nine years showed he was not the father of the boy, who is now 21.

Southern Center for Human Rights attorney Sarah Geraghty won Hatley's release at a hearing Wednesday in Superior Court. A court order has also relieved him of his financial obligation to the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

"State child support officials have shown extraordinarily poor judgment in Mr. Hatley's case," Geraghty said.

Although Hatley was freed from making future payments after a 2001 hearing, Superior Court Judge Dan Perkins had ordered him to continue making $16,000 in back payments. He paid $6,000 of that before being laid off from his job.

Perkins ordered Hatley's immediate release Wednesday after determining that he was indigent. Although he was released, Hatley's paternity case is still unresolved. No future hearings are scheduled.

"Out of it all, I just feel like justice should be served for me in this case," Hatley told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shortly after his release. "I shouldn't have to keep being punished for a child that is not mine."

Hatley had a relationship with Essie Lee Morrison, who had a baby in 1987 and told Hatley the child was his, according to court records. The couple never married and split up shortly afterward.

In 1989, Morrison applied for public assistance through the state Department of Human Resources. Hatley agreed to reimburse the state because he believed the boy was his.

Documents show Hatley paid at least $9,500.

But in 2000, DNA samples showed the two were not related, according to court records. A test earlier this month confirmed that.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090716/...ngfully_jailed

**MahiMike** · 07-16-2009, 11:28 AM

I don't know why but I chuckled at this. Poor guy.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-16-2009, 11:28 AM

Shit like this infuriates me. He's still gotta pay back $16000 for a child that is not his. BS!

beach tribe · 07-16-2009, 11:29 AM

****in WHORE!!

**The Franchise** · 07-16-2009, 11:30 AM

Now he should sue for the money that he already paid in. Too bad he won't get it.

LaChapelle · 07-16-2009, 11:30 AM

The real father needs to stand up, again.

Crashride · 07-16-2009, 11:33 AM

Where is the justice? Its cases like this that make me have no faith in the court system.

acesn8s · 07-16-2009, 11:36 AM

We have some stupid laws on the books but not a damn one to protect an innocent guy like this.

Halfcan · 07-16-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acesn8s

We have some stupid laws on the books but not a damn one to protect an innocent guy like this.

exactly-what shity luck

Amnorix · 07-16-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acesn8s

We have some stupid laws on the books but not a damn one to protect an innocent guy like this.

The laws are designed to protect the kids, not the adults. But yes, results like this can be infuriating.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-16-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The laws are designed to protect the kids, not the adults. But yes, results like this can be infuriating.

I understand protecting children, but these laws screw people more than they help.

Valiant · 07-16-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The laws are designed to protect the kids, not the adults. But yes, results like this can be infuriating.

Again why not get a simple law that states the dumb bitch needs to find the father..

blaise · 07-16-2009, 11:37 AM

I think in most states even if you end up not being the father, if you acted as a parent for some length of time, you're on the hook for the payments.

Valiant · 07-16-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

I think in most states even if you end up not being the father, if you acted as a parent for some length of time, you're on the hook for the payments.

And that is total BS, make the actually biological parent foot the bill.. If the dumb bitch slept with too many guys then too ****ing bad..

07-16-2009, 11:26 AM	Topic Starter
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Man jailed for not supporting someone else's child ADEL, Ga. – A Georgia man spent more than a year behind bars for failing to pay child support for a child that wasn't his, but he was released after DNA tests showed he wasn't the father. Frank Hatley, 50, had been jailed since June 2008 for not making payments, but two separate DNA tests in the last nine years showed he was not the father of the boy, who is now 21. Southern Center for Human Rights attorney Sarah Geraghty won Hatley's release at a hearing Wednesday in Superior Court. A court order has also relieved him of his financial obligation to the Georgia Department of Human Resources. "State child support officials have shown extraordinarily poor judgment in Mr. Hatley's case," Geraghty said. Although Hatley was freed from making future payments after a 2001 hearing, Superior Court Judge Dan Perkins had ordered him to continue making $16,000 in back payments. He paid $6,000 of that before being laid off from his job. Perkins ordered Hatley's immediate release Wednesday after determining that he was indigent. Although he was released, Hatley's paternity case is still unresolved. No future hearings are scheduled. "Out of it all, I just feel like justice should be served for me in this case," Hatley told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shortly after his release. "I shouldn't have to keep being punished for a child that is not mine." Hatley had a relationship with Essie Lee Morrison, who had a baby in 1987 and told Hatley the child was his, according to court records. The couple never married and split up shortly afterward. In 1989, Morrison applied for public assistance through the state Department of Human Resources. Hatley agreed to reimburse the state because he believed the boy was his. Documents show Hatley paid at least $9,500. But in 2000, DNA samples showed the two were not related, according to court records. A test earlier this month confirmed that. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090716/...ngfully_jailed
Posts: 59,997

07-16-2009, 11:28 AM	#2
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	I don't know why but I chuckled at this. Poor guy.
Posts: 17,387

07-16-2009, 11:28 AM	#3
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Shit like this infuriates me. He's still gotta pay back $16000 for a child that is not his. BS!
Posts: 59,997

07-16-2009, 11:29 AM	#4
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4838036	****in WHORE!!
Posts: 21,429

07-16-2009, 11:30 AM	#5
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3145047	Now he should sue for the money that he already paid in. Too bad he won't get it.
Posts: 91,988

07-16-2009, 11:30 AM	#6
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	The real father needs to stand up, again.
Posts: 8,588

07-16-2009, 11:33 AM	#8
Crashride We got DANCERS in tampa Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Casino cash: $10004900	Where is the justice? Its cases like this that make me have no faith in the court system.
Posts: 1,964

07-16-2009, 11:36 AM	#9
acesn8s MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Here Casino cash: $10007119	We have some stupid laws on the books but not a damn one to protect an innocent guy like this. __________________ Let's not take another 50 years.
Posts: 5,711

07-16-2009, 11:37 AM	#14
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	I think in most states even if you end up not being the father, if you acted as a parent for some length of time, you're on the hook for the payments.
Posts: 22,188