Teenage mother 'told to say 13-year-old Alfie was baby's father to cash in on their story'
By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:35 AM on 18th February 2009
Underage father Alfie Patten is the victim of a scam to make as much money as possible out of media deals, it has been claimed.
Chantelle Stedman was told by her mother to say that 13-year-old Alfie was the baby's father so that they could cash in on their incredible story, according to a close friend of Chantelle's parents.
Clive Sim, 39, claims that the schoolgirl was ordered to keep quiet about sleeping with other boys so that the 'teenage dad' story could be sold to newspapers for thousands of pounds.
Alfie Patten with his newborn baby Maisie. It has been claimed that the 13-year-old is the victim of a scam and may not be the child's father
Mr Sim,who has known Chantelle's parents for years, said: 'Penny told Chantelle to keep quiet about other boys because they wouldn't get any money.
'They know that Alfie being the dad makes a better story. I think there's a big scam going on here.'
The sensational claims come as bookmakers Paddy Power have been taking bets on who is the father of week-old baby Maisie Roxanne with Alfie still favourite.
It has been suggested that there are another six potential fathers - although Chantelle, 15, is said to be distraught at the allegations.
Nicola Patten, mother of Alfie, leaves the family home in Hailsham, East Sussex yesterday
Alfie has said he wants to take a DNA test to prove that he is the child's father.
Both Alfie and Chantelle's parents are believed to have netted thousands of pounds in media deals so far.
But Mr Sim claims that Alfie is being 'exploited' by the families to make as much money as possible.
'It's all pretty sordid,' he told the Mirror. 'Alfie may not be an angel and nor is Chantelle. But at the end of the day they are only children and it is the adults around them making bad decisions based on money, not their welfare.
Mr Sim has also claimed that Chantelle's mother once even walked in on her young daughter having sex in the past
Both Richard Goodsell, 16, and 14-year-old Tyler Barker who live close to the Stedmans in Eastbourne, East Sussex, have claimed paternity.
Trainee chef Richard has said he had sex at least three times with Chantelle around the time she became pregnant.
'I know I could be the father, he said. 'Everyone thinks I am. My friends all tell me that baby has my eyes - even my mum thinks so.'
Meanwhile, Tyler said: 'I slept with Chantelle about nine months ago and I'm really worried I could be the father. I hope it's not me. All my mates have been teasing me about it but this isn't funny, it's serious.'