Jason

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- On paper, he has 20 possibly 21 children.

With a minimum wage job, he can't afford to support them all.

What is the state to do?

Desmond Hatchett, 29, told WVLT he wasn't out to set a record, though he certainly holds it in Knox County Juvenile Child Support Court.

Hatchett's children range in age from newborn 11.

There are at least 11 mothers; probably several more.

Constitutionally, there is nothing the state can do to limit him from having more.

"I had four kids in the same year. Twice." Desmond Hatchett told Volunteer TV.

On Friday, his name appeared on the docket 11 times; Representing about 15 of his 21 children.

"Can you keep up with it all?" WVLT asked Hatchett.
"Yeah," he said.
"You know all their names, and ages and birthdays?"
"Yeah."

Hatchett's name is pretty controversial at the old courthouse.

"The children can't be supported all by Desmond, so the state of Tennessee has had to step in," Hatchett's attorney Keith Pope said.

It's your tax dollars at work.

WVLT spoke with one mom who has two children with Hatchett.
She is supposed to get $67.50 a month. But many times, she gets a lot less than what she's owed.
They all do.

"It'll make it through half the month," the unidentified mom said.

She told Volunteer TV, Hatchett is the father of her two sons. And she says her 4-year-old is expensive enough on his own. "He's a heavy milk drinker. And milk is not cheap," she said.

"It's frustrating, but usually, when I ask he give it to me," she continued.

It's due process-- the state is only allowed to take 50% of Hatchett's paycheck.
That's 50% split multiple times.

http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/45871127.html

40sondacurb

I've already had my birth control rant for the year .

wrench97

How do you raise a kid today on $67.50 a month?

TJ Belfiore

Hi -

It's easy, you just have to make the kid live like a college student meaning he only eats Top Ramen and only drinks RC Cola -


Saluti . . .

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l_b_rex

WOW! In Canada we are set!

In Canada we get Baby Bounus for kids and an extra $100 for children 6 and under.
Example: I have a 4 year old and get $320/mnth for baby bonus and $100 for child tax credit.
That's $420/month from the government and I work full time as well as her mom.

TJ Belfiore

Hi -

I envy you, I wish I was that well off.. then again.. I'm in America - so...


Saluti . . .

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l_b_rex

You guys don't get much from your government do ya? That's probably why your military is so good.

TJ Belfiore

Hi -

The American government is lacking, but.. oh well, I have to deal with it for now till I move to Italy in a few years - or Canada


Saluti . . .

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wrench97

Now if I could only convince mine of that.........................

TJ Belfiore

Hi -

I'm lucky, I go to college but I don't live there, the college isn't even 5 miles away so that's very convenient and less expensive. :P


Saluti . . .

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Done_Fishin

you're missing the point .. some kid is running around creating families that he cannot afford to raise, he is taking no precautions against his partners becoming pregnant and it seems that his partners are taking no precautions either. If he has 21 kids now at 29, he could have 50 by the time he is 40, His kids will have more kids and follow his lead creating a small army of state dependent families who will either not need to work or won't bother, since they'll get most of what they want from the state .

I think that if the guy can't be responsible enough to take appropriate action and safeguard himself and partners against offspring .. HIS ANTICS SHOULD BE NIPPED OR SNIPPED IN THE BUD.

TJ Belfiore

Hi -

" ... and follow his lead creating a small army of state dependent families ... "

I lol'd. You're right, this could be a major issue - maybe the dude should just get fixed.


Saluti . . .

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Mcninjaguy

I would say the scalpel wil lhave a well deserved day at the doctor's office.