Mother Attempted Suicide - Child Protection and DNA Testing?

[Dave925]

I recently received a call from child protection advising me that I have a child born December 2013. I have not had any contact with the mother since July 2013 but I was aware she was pregnant and I told her that if I was the father I would support the child.
The mother recently attempted suicide and the child is now in protective custody. I was named as the father of the child. I have an appointment with child protection to sign documents which were referred to as "court assessment orders". The paternity for the child is not authenticated through DNA testing, and I have reasons to believe that I am not able to father children (these reasons are not confirmed medically but from personal observation and experience).

I am not currently in a postion to care for a child, and would like some advice on how to proceed.

 

[Tim W]

Find out about paternity before you do anything else.

 

[Worldly1]

Yes - agreed that you'll need to establish whether you're the father or not with a paternity test.

Have a look at these previous LawAnswers Family Law Forum posts "DNA Testing - Is my dad actually my dad?" and "Father Refusing to Take Paternity Test or Provide Child Support" for some information about DNA testing.

All the best. Let us know how you go.