Child support case goes to federal court
'Male Roe v. Wade' suit will be argued
ABC Channel 12, WJRT, U.S.A., Kevin Holmes
SAGINAW COUNTY (WJRT) - (06/28/06)--The case is being dubbed Roe v. Wade for men. Now a Saginaw Township man will hear arguments from the defense as to why he should be financially responsible for a child, he claims, he was tricked into fathering.
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is firing back against Matt Dubay.
The main issue is obligation. Cox says it's a parent's obligation to support their children.
Matt Dubay says he never wanted the child, therefore he shouldn't be financially responsible.
The lawsuit filed by Dubay claims Michigan's paternity law is unconstitutional because the father is compelled to pay child support, even if he didn't want the child to be born.
Dubay says he was tricked, because his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Wells, also of Saginaw Township, told him she was unable to get pregnant due to a medical condition.
When she became pregnant, he didn't feel he should have to pay child support for an unwanted pregnancy.
The case has made its way to the U.S. District Court.
The court will today hear arguments from Attorney General Mike Cox, who believes parents have an obligation to support their children.
Supporters have been lining up on both sides of the fence in this case.
Saginaw County Prosecutor Mike Thomas has supports the Attorney General's position. He too has been named a defendant.
Meanwhile, The National Center For Men is backing Matt Dubay in this fight