A Kansas man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple in 2009 is now being taken to court by the state to pay child support.
The bizarre case began in 2009 when William Marotta answered a Craigslist ad and donated sperm to Angela Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner. Schreiner bore the child, and Marotta relinquished all parental rights.
The trouble began when the longtime couple split and Bauer, who had supported the family, could no longer work because of an illness. The former couple turned to the state to obtain health insurance for their young daughter—and the state subsequently demanded the sperm donor’s name to pursue him for the cost.
Kansas lawyers contend Marotta’s agreement with the couple is invalid—and therefore he can be held responsible—because the artificial insemination didn’t meet state guidelines. Marotta says the state’s motives are political and believes he will prevail.
