A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has become a father in Britain.

The front page of The Sun shows a picture of a baby-faced boy holding the hand of a newborn girl. Britain has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and Friday's report sparked a debate over the issue. The most recent government figures show that about 39,000 girls under age 18 became pregnant in 2006. More than 7,000 of those girls were younger than 16.



A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has become a father in Britain. The mum is just 15.

Alfie Patten was present four days ago when his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to Maisie Roxanne in Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex, The Sun reports.

“I thought it would be good to have a baby," Alfie told the major UK paper.

“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10 ($21).”

Alfie, who lives with with his mum, admitted he did not know how much nappies cost: “I think it’s a lot.”

Alfie, who was 12 when Maisie was conceived, and Chantelle decided not to have an abortion and had kwpt the pregnancy secret until at 18 weeks Chantelle's mum noticed the weight gain.

“When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble," Alfie said.

"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 father Dennis, who is separated from the family, said his son did not seem to appreciate what he had got himself into but at least he had taken responsible attitude.
Alfie had been present at the birth and has been keen to cuddle and hold his child.

"He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation.

"But he has been at the hospital every day,” Mr Patten said.

Chantelle defends herself and Alfie from accusations they are being irresponsible.

“We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now," Chantelle says.

"We will be good loving parents.

“I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.

“I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad.”

Chantelle and Maisie were released from hospital yesterday and will be living with her family who are supported by welfare payments.

Take a look at the interview that Alfie Patten gave for The Sun in the video: British Boy Becomes Father Aged 13.

UPDATE: 26 Mar 2009

DNA tests show boy-dad Alfie Patten is not the daddy

The schoolboy alleged to have become a dad aged 12 is not the baby’s father. Alfie Patten, now 13, had a £300 DNA test after half a dozen boys claimed to have slept with schoolgirl pal Chantelle Stedman, 15.It proved the 4ft-tall pupil was not the father of her seven-week-old girl Maisie Roxanne.The result will be a blow to Alfie who was “devastated” by the boys’ claims and “adored” Maisie. He was convinced he was the dad after a single night of unprotected sex with Chantelle.