Peter Savel was living with Ashley Shields when she became pregnant and gave birth in June of 2004.
Three days after he was listed as the child's father on the birth certificate, Savel also signed an acknowledgment of paternity.
Some nine months later, the couple separated when Shields supposedly told Savel she had had another partner when the child was conceived. Yet, Savel continued to have regular weekly visits with the yountster.
But when he later sought to disclaim paternity, the Albany County Family Court ruled against him, and Savel appealed to the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Although Savel had reason to question who was the father, he continued to cultivate a relationship with the child and failed to take any action until Shields sought child support.
Since it was in the minor's best interests to preserve the father-child relationship, the AD3 affirmed the outcome and denied Savel's request for genetic-marker testing.
There was no Shielding this dad from his responsibilities.
To download a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Matter of Savel v. Shields