There is an unfortunate expression that says “no good deed goes unpunished.” While this is not a mantra to live by, it’s easy to see why people feel that way from time to time. William Marotta answered an ad on Craigslist posted by Angela Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner, a lesbian couple seeking a sperm donor. He signed all the necessary paperwork that relinquished all parental rights and financial responsibilities to the child. William’s name wasn’t even on the birth certificate. Through adoption, both women were named the legal parents of their baby girl. The women were taking care of their new daughter together right up until they broke up.
Their parting was amicable and the women had continued to share parental duties. But eventually Angela, the main source of income, was no longer able to work because on a chronic illness. Jennifer, the birth mother, was forced to file for Medicaid to take care of their daughter’s medical needs. Although they tried to name Angela as the second parent, they were told they would continue to be denied coverage unless they named the actual donor. Once named the father, William was hit by a lawsuit from the state of Kansas for almost $6,000 in medical expenses. Both Angela and Jennifer continue to fight on behalf of William. On top of their initial contract regarding William’s rights and responsibilities, they further indemnify William and hold him harmless for any child support payments demanded of him by any other person or entity, public or private.” Unfortunately, the state of Kansas does not seem to be budging on their stance that “a person cannot contract away his or her obligations to support their child.” And so the fight continues.
