14 DAY TRIAL // In the photos released by British newspaper The Sun, 13 year-old Alfie Patten is seen holding what at first glance would seem to be his sister. However, the fact of the matter is that the young lad has just two days ago become the father of 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne, a child that he has with 15 year-old girlfriend Chantelle Steadman. Instead of playing video games or hanging out with his friends, the boy will from now on have to take care of his daughter. It seems that he has grown very fond of the little girl, and their doctors and parents say that he has been at the hospital all day, caring for both his girlfriend and child.
Alfie Patten told journalists how he and Chantelle decided against abortion, after conceiving Maisie when Alfie was just 12 years old. They found out about the pregnancy when they visited the gynecologist. The girl complained of stomach aches, and the doctor gave her a pregnancy test. Out of fear of what their parents might do to them, the two held the news a secret until her weight gain drew the attention of her mother, who managed to get the truth out of her.
“I thought it would be good to have a baby. I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10 ($15). When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby, but were worried how people would react. I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it,” the 4 foot-tall little man told The Sun newspaper.
“He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day,” Alfie's father, Dennis Patten, said and added that he was surprised of the interest his son took in his daughter and of the fact that the little boy would rather spend his days at the hospital than doing something else at home.
“Everyone is telling him things and it’s going round in his head. It hasn’t really dawned on him. He hasn’t got a clue of what the baby means and can’t explain how he feels. All he knows is mum and dad will help. When you mention money his eyes look away. And she is reliant on her mum and dad. It’s crazy. They have no idea what lies ahead,” the father adds.
Photgraphs of the two can be seen here.