- Jul 10, 2004
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By Jeff Black, Staff Writer, NBC News
A man who donated sperm to a pair of lesbians so they could start a family is now being hounded for child support by the state of Kansas which refuses to recognize the same-sex coupling.
But William Marotta's attorneys want the now-separated lesbian co-parent to be involved in a lawsuit in which the state claims he is the legal father of a 3-year-old girl.
The state of Kansas contends that Marotta is legally responsible for the girl conceived after he responded to a Craigslist ad placed by the lesbian couple for sperm donation.
Kansas is seeking some $6,000 in back child support.
The ad was placed by Jennifer Schreiner and Angela Bauer more than three years ago with the idea that Marotta, a married mechanic from Topeka, would not be involved in the childs life or bear any responsibility for her upbringing.
Marotta even signed a contract waiving parental rights and responsibilities which he thought absolved him from any financial obligations for the child.
In fact, he didnt even accept the $50 payment offered from Schreiner, who gave birth to the girl, and Bauer, Schreiners partner at the time.
The state of Kansas, however, sees it differently. The Sunflower State contends that the contract is invalid because a Kansas law requires that a licensed physician perform any artificial insemination which was not the case with Schreiner.
Kansas snubs lesbian co-parent in Craigslist sperm donor case, attorneys say - U.S. News
A man who donated sperm to a pair of lesbians so they could start a family is now being hounded for child support by the state of Kansas which refuses to recognize the same-sex coupling.
But William Marotta's attorneys want the now-separated lesbian co-parent to be involved in a lawsuit in which the state claims he is the legal father of a 3-year-old girl.
The state of Kansas contends that Marotta is legally responsible for the girl conceived after he responded to a Craigslist ad placed by the lesbian couple for sperm donation.
Kansas is seeking some $6,000 in back child support.
The ad was placed by Jennifer Schreiner and Angela Bauer more than three years ago with the idea that Marotta, a married mechanic from Topeka, would not be involved in the childs life or bear any responsibility for her upbringing.
Marotta even signed a contract waiving parental rights and responsibilities which he thought absolved him from any financial obligations for the child.
In fact, he didnt even accept the $50 payment offered from Schreiner, who gave birth to the girl, and Bauer, Schreiners partner at the time.
The state of Kansas, however, sees it differently. The Sunflower State contends that the contract is invalid because a Kansas law requires that a licensed physician perform any artificial insemination which was not the case with Schreiner.
Kansas snubs lesbian co-parent in Craigslist sperm donor case, attorneys say - U.S. News