DNA Tests Ordered In Dispute Involving Judge, Kids
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - DNA tests have been ordered in the case of a Flint judge who is facing a $4.1 million lawsuit for financial support of two children.
Archie Hayman is a Genesee County circuit judge who's being sued by attorney Denise Ketchmark.
Ketchmark, who is white, claims she and Hayman, who is black, had an affair for nearly two decades that produced two children, now ages 6 and 13. Ketchmark says Hayman has failed to support their two children, despite affidavits acknowledging he's the father.
Hayman has said he signed affidavits of parentage so the children could get medical benefits from Genesee County. He said he's had a professional and "close, personal" relationship with Ketchmark.
Hayman's attorney said new information has come to light since the judge added the children to his insurance in 2011, including his contention that he is not the father of at least one of the children, The Flint Journal reported.
Ketchmark said earlier this week that one of the children was the result of artificial insemination and that Hayman is the biological parent of her youngest child. She claims the law made Hayman responsible the both children when he filed the affidavits.
Ketchmark also said she agonized over filing the lawsuit, which seeks more than $4 million in damages and support, but that it was a "necessary" decision. Her lawsuit says the judge didn't emotionally or financially support her children, despite Hayman being known for speaking out about the importance of fathers in their children's lives.
Oakland County Judge Cheryl Matthews on Wednesday rejected a request by Hayman's attorney to seal records in the case, saying she "can't imagine" shutting out the public.
The case was transferred to Oakland County after a Genesee County judge recused himself.
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