End Paternity Fraud: Demand Federal Protections for Children and Families

To the United States Congress:

My name is Mark McBride and for 47 years, I lived without knowing who my father was. I was told he didn’t exist—his name was “unknown.” But that was a lie. My mother and aunt knowingly kept his identity from me. They had a conversation with him during her pregnancy and deliberately made a decision that would affect not just my life—but his as well. I was taken from him before I was even born.

I served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. I fought for freedom, for truth, and for justice. But the one truth I never had was my own identity. Even after a lifetime of service, I now continue to serve by protecting children from the kind of deception that stole decades from my life.

This is not just my story. Across the country, children are denied their right to know where they come from. Fathers are robbed of the chance to raise and love their children. And too often, there are no consequences for the deception that causes this trauma.

We demand that Congress take action by:

 1. Recognizing intentional paternity deception as a federal offense, especially when it leads to long-term harm to children and parents.

 2. Guaranteeing access to DNA testing before legal paternity is assigned.

 3. Creating a national process for disestablishing false paternity, with the option to seek retroactive justice in proven cases.

 4. Holding individuals accountable who intentionally withhold or falsify parentage information.

 5. Protecting children and families from the emotional, psychological, and financial consequences of paternity fraud.

This is about truth, accountability, and healing. It is time our laws reflect the importance of a child’s right to their identity—and a parent’s right to their child.

Please sign this petition and join the fight for justice.

Sincerely,

Mark T McBride-Chevalier 

Master Sergeant USMC

RETIRED 

Houston TX