Kansas man who answered an online ad to donate sperm to a lesbian couple is fighting the state's efforts to force him to pay child support for the resulting child.
A Department of Children and Families spokeswoman says the agency would not be pursuing payment if the state hadn't provided more than $6,000 in health care benefits for the child after the lesbian couple ended their relationship. The state tries to establish a child's paternity when benefits are involved.
Court records show that the sperm donor, William Marotta of Topeka, signed an agreement in March 2009 giving up parental rights to Angela Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner. The agreement also absolves Marotta of financial responsibility.
Both Bauer and Schreiner have told the state that they assume complete responsibility for their daughter.
The state contends their agreement with Marotta isn't valid.