LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A sexual assault survivor is grateful a decide declared him his brother’s authorized father, however questions stay about whether or not or not he’s biologically the boy’s dad.
In 2015, Logan Gifford, now 27, got here ahead to report sexual assault allegations involving his mom, Doreene Gifford, information mentioned. Logan Gifford, who was 16 on the time, initially advised police and later testified that his mom started sexually assaulting him when he was 10. Prosecutors alleged Doreene Gifford sexually assaulted her son for a number of years, later charging her with sexual assault with a minor and incest.
Earlier this yr, Logan Gifford, who was caring for a youthful sibling who’s now a young person, filed a paternity case, asking a decide to order a complicated DNA take a look at to find out who his brother’s father is. This summer time, take a look at outcomes confirmed Logan Gifford’s and his father’s DNA each matched 99.9% to the sibling, Logan Gifford mentioned.
Final Wednesday, a household decide “legally confirmed” Logan Gifford because the boy’s father, Logan Gifford mentioned. The decide decided {the teenager}’s custody primarily based on Logan Gifford’s take care of the boy somewhat than DNA outcomes.
A Las Vegas sexual assault survivor is grateful a decide declared him his brother’s authorized father, however questions stay about whether or not or not he’s biologically the boy’s dad. (Logan Gifford)
“I’ve always affirmed that there was a strong possibility,” Gifford mentioned concerning the risk that he’s his brother’s organic father. “The resemblance is stunning — if people knew — it’s a carbon copy.”
8 Information Now will not be figuring out Logan Gifford’s brother.
“He is very much aware of what’s going on and why we’re pursuing it the way that we are,” Logan Gifford mentioned, “It just made us revere that relationship even more.”
Wednesday’s ruling got here after a months-long paternity battle as Logan Gifford was already caring for his youthful brother.
“The judge looked at the case and said, ‘Well, there’s nothing necessarily ruling this out,’” Logan Gifford mentioned.
“Does it really matter who his biological father is when you’ve been his father all along?” 8 Information Now Investigator David Charns requested him.
“I would say it matters to get him an answer on why he was born the way that he was,” Logan Gifford mentioned.
DNA testing involving a guardian and sibling could be troublesome, as each Logan Gifford and his brother statistically share the identical DNA from their organic mother and father — ought to each be the identical mom and father.
Logan Gifford, 27, speaks with 8 Information Now in March 2025. (KLAS)
Additional DNA testing can show costly and should by no means definitively say who the daddy is. However Logan Gifford hopes his brother receives a solution to assist with previous and future medical diagnoses involving genetics.“I think it’s fair that we continue to pursue that because that’s what this has been about the entire time,” Logan Gifford mentioned.
Practically half of all males will report some type of sexual assault or harassment of their lifetimes, in keeping with the Nationwide Sexual Violence Useful resource Heart. Logan Gifford hopes that sharing his tales makes extra males snug talking publicly.
“I tried looking to someone in this arena to try to take guidance, and there was clearly a gap, and I said, ‘Well, if not me then who else would do it,'” he mentioned.
In 2015, a Clark County decide sentenced Doreene Gifford to 8-20 years in jail, information mentioned. The decide additionally ordered Doreene Gifford to register as a intercourse offender. The Nevada Parole Board granted Doreene Gifford parole in July 2024. She was remanded into custody for a parole violation and later launched, information mentioned.
Doreene Gifford, who now resides in Massachusetts, maintained her innocence and took an Alford plea on lesser costs, together with tried intercourse assault. An Alford plea, primarily a plea of no contest, means a defendant doesn’t admit guilt, however believes prosecutors have sufficient proof to persuade a jury to convict.
8 Information Now doesn’t determine sexual assault survivors except they select to return ahead publicly. Logan Gifford raised practically $4,000 as of the publication of this text by a GoFundMe to assist with authorized prices.
Sources:
Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline: a service of RAINN: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Nevada Sexual Assault Assist Providers: 775-221-7600
Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE
