A new state law in Michigan designed to “look out for the interest of children” born as a result of an extramarital affair allows the mother to cut the biological father out of the equation if she so chooses. And that’s just what Shawnita VanHook-Williams did.

The Revocation of Paternity Act has impacted Aaron Grimes tremendously in stifling his ability to raise his own biological child. He says the law has gone too far. He declares the birth of his child 15 months ago as one of the happiest days of his life. Grimes states, “Having a child isn’t something I take very lightly. It’s a responsibility and that’s a responsibility I want to have,” says Grimes, adding that he was looking forward to meeting his son from the start. “I was excited, she was excited.”

According to Grimes, he had knowledge that VanHook-Williams was unhappily married, but he was led to believe that she couldn’t get a divorce for whatever reason. As far as he was concerned, “She was a great woman, very attractive, very intelligent, fun loving, and easy going,” says Grimes. They spent four years together during the affair. Their relationship was no secret, not even to VanHook-Williams’ husband. They have pictures together with Grimes and VanHook-Williams together at family events. Grimes says the two were planning a life and future together.

On the day VanHook-Williams was delivering the child, she summoned Grimes to the Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield for the joyous occasion. Only, he found the mother’s husband in the hospital, which Grimes conceded was uncomfortable. After Grimes began to realize that he was not welcome in the raising of their son, the relationship quickly soured, prompting Grimes to retain an attorney and fight for custody of his child. The Revocation of Paternity Act stems from an outdated law that states if two people have an extra-marital affair, they are committing a felony. This new law further expounds that because the father is considered a felon, he can be denied access to raising his own child if he knew the women was married at the time. This law gives the mother of the child (who is, ironically, considered a felon as well) full rights to decide who should be declared the child’s father.

Michigan State Senator Steve Bieda wrote the new law and says it is intended to look out for the child’s best interest. But he further explains that he is giving fathers more rights. Under the old law, biological dads who had kids from extramarital affairs had absolutely no rights. Now, he states, dads who did not know the women was married do have legal rights to a child born out of an affair. “So it gives an opportunity for the biological father to go into court and to establish paternity in those situations,” Bieda says. VanHook-William’s attorney says she is not interested in having Grimes involved with the child. And at this time, the law supports her decision.

– Black Blue Dog