Shanice Watson, STAR Writer

Today, we continue with one of our latest and perhaps most buzz-worthy feature, Paternity Puzzle. The feature will attempt to help families solve paternity disputes. Every Friday, we will publish the story of a mother and an alleged father, who will both give their sides in tales of allegations and denials. Be sure to follow the series as THE WEEKEND STAR awards a free DNA test, sponsored by Caribbean Genetics. Each month, one of the four cases published will get a free test and reveal the truth once and for all.

A peculiar chain of events has left nine-year-old Josh Brown unable to claim what his deceased father, 27-year-old Devon Johnson, left for him because he was not registered in his father's name.

The child's mother, 23-year-old Kadine Brown, who works as a supervisor in a pharmacy, explained the compelling tale.

Brown and Johnson grew up in the same community and were childhood friends. However, the relationship escalated past mere friendship when they started high school.

"When we just reached high school, we both had some friends who were telling us how nice sex is and they were pressuring us to try it, so we did. Unfortunately, we didn't know what we were doing and I got pregnant at age 12," she told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Brown said their families were very understanding in the situation, realising they were only kids who made a mistake, and decided not to report the matter to the authorities.

When the child was born, his father, Devon Johnson, could not attend the hospital to sign his name on the birth certificate because the police were present. As a result, the child was only registered in the mother's name.

The decision was later made that the father would add his name to the birth certificate when Brown reached 18. However, due to procrastination on both sides, it was never done, as they took it for granted.

But on September 29, last year, the unexpected happened. Johnson, the child's father, fell off a three-storey building and a protruding steel ran through his head, killing him.

Now, the courts claim they cannot grant Josh his father's insurance money and other inheritance because they have no way to prove that Devon is his father.

The only way to prove that Josh is Johnson's son is for his mother to do a DNA test. The grandmother said she is willing to do the test and would still take Josh as her grandson even if the test shows he is not her grandchild.

Do you have any doubts that a child is yours, or have you been denied access to a child who you believe is yours? Well, here is the chance for you to find out the truth. Contact THE STAR at 932-6271/932-6249 or 932-6282 to share your story and qualify for a chance to get a free DNA test courtesy of Caribbean Genetics.