[True Story] 13 Years Old Father

Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 but looks more like eight, became a father when his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne.

He told how he and Chantelle, 15, decided against an abortion after discovering she was pregnant. The shy lad, whose voice has not yet broken, said “I thought it would be good to have a baby. I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”

Alfie, who is just 4ft tall, added “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react. I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it.”

Alfie's story, broken exclusively by The Sun newspaper has sparked a huge political storm with Tory leader David Cameron saying "When I saw these pictures this morning, I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.I hope that somehow these children grow up into responsible parents but the truth is parenthood is just not something they should be thinking about right now."

PM Gordon Brown refused to comment directly on the story but said it was important that the Government did all it could to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Alfie’s dad Dennis told how the lad does not really understand the enormity of his situation but seemed desperate to be a devoted and responsible father. He wanted to be the first to hold Maisie after the hospital birth. He tenderly kisses the baby and gives her a bottle. And Dennis, 45, said: “He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day.”

Dennis, who works for a vehicle recovery firm, described Alfie as “a typical 13-year-old boy”. He said “He loves computer games, boxing and Manchester United.” Dennis, who has fathered nine kids, told how he was “gobsmacked” when he discovered Alfie was to be a dad, too. “When I spoke to him he started crying. He said it was the first time he’d had sex, that he didn’t know what he was doing and of the complications that could come. I will talk to him again and it will be the birds and the bees talk. Some may say it’s too late but he needs to understand so there is not another baby.”


Maisie was conceived after Chantelle and Alfie just 12 at the time had a single night of unprotected sex. They found out about the baby when Chantelle was 12 weeks pregnant. But they kept it a secret until six weeks later when Chantelle’s mum Penny, 38, became suspicious about her weight gain and confronted her. After that Alfie’s family told only those closest to them for fear he would be “demonised” at school.

Chantelle gave birth to Maisie after a five-hour labour at Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex. She told The Sun: “I’m tired after the birth. I was nervous after going into labour but otherwise I was quite excited.”

Chantelle told how she discovered she was expecting after going to her GP with “really bad” stomach pains. She said “Me and Alfie went. The doctor asked me whether we had sex. I said yes and he said I should do a pregnancy test. He did the test and said I was pregnant. I started crying and didn’t know what to do. He said I should tell my mum but I was too scared. We didn’t think we would need help from our parents. You don’t really think about that when you find out you are pregnant. You just think your parents will kill you.”

But Penny figured out what was going on after buying Chantelle a T-shirt which revealed her swelling tum. Chantelle admitted she and Alfie who are both being supported by their parents would be accused of being grossly irresponsible. She said “We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now. We will be good loving parents. I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad.”

Chantelle’s mum said “I told her it was lovely to have the baby but I wish it was in different circumstances. We have five children already so it’s a big financial responsibility. But we are a family and will pull together and get through. She’s my daughter. I love her and she will want for nothing.”


Innicent-eyed Alfie Patten spent his first night acting as a 13-year-old dad and declared: “It was easier than I thought.” The four-footer who looks no more than eight said “I know I’m young, but I plan to be a good dad.”

As he went on the PlayStation with 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, he added: “I think we’ll be good parents. I’ll have to work extra hard at school.”

Boys could have kids at age of six

DOCTOR Carol Cooper, The Sun’s GP, explains the physical changes in lads and when they occur. BOYS can actually get a girl pregnant at the age of six or seven though it is extremely rare. Puberty starts for most boys at 12. Hormonal changes occur first and then sperm starts to mature though it is unlikely at this stage that many would be capable of impregnating a girl. The growth spurt, voice changes plus facial hair are secondary to hormonal changes and come later.

Britain’s youngest known father is Sean Stewart. He became a dad at 12 when the girl next door, 15-year-old Emma Webster, gave birth in Sharnbrook, Bedford, in 1998. They split six months later.