Baby snatchers Dad slams social workers who took son Exclusive By PAUL THORNTON Published: 09th June 2013 A GRIEVING dad told of his fight to win back his baby son — who was taken by social workers the day after the tot’s mum killed herself. James McGhee discovered he had no rights to little Aiden as his on-off partner Theresa Rough had put another man’s name on his birth certificate. And he claims the authorities kept his child from him for seven months — even AFTER a DNA test confirmed he was the dad. Now he plans to sue Glasgow City Council social work chiefs for human rights abuse after a court finally awarded him custody of Aiden, who’s almost two, last month. James, 29, from the city’s Maryhill, said: “It was horrendous. All that time they knew I was his dad and desperate to look after him. They kept telling me I had no rights. It drove me close to insanity.” James and Theresa, 27, were together for six months in 2010 but split around the time Aiden was conceived. Theresa — who suffered poor mental health and had substance abuse issues — met another man while pregnant and put his name on Aiden’s birth certificate when he was born in August 2011. James believes it was a ploy to make sure social workers — who’d monitored Theresa throughout her pregnancy — didn’t take Aiden from her. But he and Theresa reconciled after Aiden arrived and lived together for three months as a family. James said: “I was not happy about not going on the birth certificate but I accepted that Theresa had her reasons for it. “It was the best time of my life. I felt like a proper dad.” James’ blissful life was shattered when Theresa took her own life in February 2012. He said: “She did have issues but being threatened by social workers on a weekly basis didn’t help. “I can’t say she would still be alive but all the pressure didn’t help. I was devastated when she died — in shock.” Just 24 hours later a team of social workers backed by six cops swooped for Aiden. James said: “I knew they would take him but the timing made things ten times worse. It was just horrible.” After refusing James a DNA paternity test the council caved in and he was confirmed as Aiden’s dad. But his son was passed between three foster homes for months, with James allowed minimal access until he was awarded a decree of parentage granted at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month. Now James — who’s consulting lawyers over a possible human rights lawsuit — plans to put his name on Aiden’s birth certificate and give the 21-month-old his surname. He said: “To have it in black and white will be brilliant. It’s great to have him back. He’s a happy wee boy.” Glasgow City Council last night said: “This was a very complicated case. Our focus was always the well-being of a vulnerable wee boy. We’re pleased he is with his father and that they’re doing well.” thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/glasgow/4961026/Baby-snatchers.html
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:04:50 +0000