Courtesy First Coast News
What to Know
- Sinawa found out he was not the father after the DNA test was administered by a St. Johns County court following a custody question.
A man in North Florida is fighting the state after he was told to pay child support despite DNA tests proving that he was not the father.
Joseph Sinawa told NBC affiliate WTLV-TV that he signed the birth certificate because he did truly believe he was the father – adding that the mother of the child doesn’t want him to have to pay, but the state is forcing the issue.
"She told the judge she just wants this to be done and over with, and so do I," he said from his home in St. Augustine.
Sinawa found out he was not the father after the DNA test was administered by a St. Johns County court following a custody question – but the state’s Department of Revenue appealed the decision because they say Sinawa has not properly attempted to disestablish paternity.
"At the time it had been taking $83 out of my paycheck, more than 1/3 of my pay," he says. "When I thought I was the father I didn’t have a problem with it."
Sinawa is currently representing himself in court cases due to financial issues and has filed the necessary paperwork, but no time table has been set and it is unknown if he will be refunded any of the money spent.
