Court Opinion

ID: 9626507
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 08:15:00.697223+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:28.515833
License: Public Domain

WYNN, Judge
dissenting.
This matter was initiated on 15 September 1988 upon the affirmation of Leslie L. Stevons swearing that Winfred T. Charles “is the natural father” of her child bom on 10 May 1988.
In August 1997, “Durham County Child Support” acting upon the sworn statement of Ms. Stevons, caused a warrant for arrest to be issued to Mr. Charles for non-support of Ms. Stevons’ child. The warrant stated that there was probable cause to believe that Mr. Charles “did neglect and refuse to support and maintain . . . the illegitimate child born to Leslie Stevons on [10 May 1988]. This neglect and refusal continue after due notice and demand was made upon him by Leslie Stevons.”
After issuance of the arrest warrant, Mr. Charles executed an acknowledgment of paternity on 23 September 1997 which was “accompanied by the sworn written Affirmation of Paternity signed by the natural mother.” Thereafter, the trial court entered an Order of Paternity on 3 October 1997.
In February 2005, Ms. Stevons called Mr. Charles and advised him that he was not the biological father of her child. In response, Mr. Charles filed motions under Rule 60(b)(6) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 110-132 seeking relief from the paternity judgment and asking for a paternity test. After a hearing, District Court Judge Elaine Bushfan found as fact that:
8. That prior to the minor child’s birth and after the minor child’s birth the Plaintiff advised the Defendant that he was the biological father of this child.
9. That the Defendant based on these allegations and affirmations to him signed an Affidavit of Parentage that he was the biological father of the minor child, . . .
10. That the Defendant believed the minor child was his biological child until the week of February 21, 2005 when the Plaintiff advised the Defendant for the first time that he was not the father of the minor child, . . .
11.That the Defendant testified the Plaintiff called him and stated that she needed to speak with him.
*50913. That when the Defendant asked the Plaintiff if the minor child was Darryl’s biological child the Plaintiff admitted that the minor child was Darryl’s and that she lied to the Defendant when she initially told him the minor child was his at the child’s birth and thereafter.
Judge Bushfan further found that “it has never been contemplated by any Court that any fraud is allowed to stand” and that “fraud can be attacked in equity and justice.” Most significantly, the trial court found that “there is no evidence at this trial contradicting the Defendant’s testimony.” Based upon the findings, the trial court granted Defendant relief under N.C.G.S. 110-32 concluding:
4. That the Defendant should be allowed to challenge the affidavit of parentage and be entitled to a paternity test based on fraud pursuant to N.C.G.S. 110-132.
5. That the Defendant should likewise be entitled to challenge the affidavit of parentage and have a paternity test based on' equity in light of the circumstances and based on the findings of fact as set out in this case.
Accordingly, the trial court ordered the parties to submit to a paternity test.
I agree with Judge Bushfan’s decision to grant Mr. Charles relief under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 110-132(a). This statute states that a putative father may challenge his acknowledgment of paternity upon the basis of fraud. The unchallenged and therefore binding findings of the trial court establish that Mr. Charles was the victim of a fraud. Section 110-132(a) is a specific statute that allows a trial court to grant relief in paternity cases to victims of fraud. As such I would hold that Section 110-132(a) controls over the application of the more general statute, Rule 60(b).
As a matter of justice, Ms. Stevons did not commit this fraud alone, she was assisted and aided by the Durham County Department of Social Services who too became a victim of her fraud. Neither Ms. Stevons nor the DSS should benefit from the lie told by Ms. Stevons. That is why the General Assembly enacted a specific statute, section 110-132, authorizing our trial courts to do justice where there is uncontroverted evidence of fraud in paternity cases.