A judge in Washington, D.C. ordered DNA testing on two adults who are claiming to be the biological parents of a 14 year old Sierra Leonean Girl residing in New York.
The quote from Judge Constance Frogale reads:
"The alleged mother, Salamatu Kamara Jalloh and putative father, Abu Bakarr Jalloh, and the above child shall submit two scientifically reliable genetic tests at a medical facility mutually agreeable to the parties for the purpose of drawing blood to be used to determine the paternity of the child."
Apparently these folks are allowed to go to any corner DNA lab to get a paternity test, as long as they agree on which lab it is. That is the only quote provided by the article I found on AllAfrica.com, so I'm not sure if she wants them to go to an accredited facility or if any laboratory will do. Also, why does this need to be done with blood? Buccal swab DNA testing is just as accurate as blood. I am considering a DNA testing tutorial for attorneys and judges.
Getting back to the issue, court documents say the birth certificate in Sierra Leone was both false and lost. An investigation into the immigration records showed Salamatu Jalloh as the biological mother of the child. Officials set up an appointment with Jalloh, who fled her house 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
The sad truth is that Jalloh probably is not the biological mother of the girl. She does want to care for the girl along with Abu Bakarr Jalloh, the putative father, since the true mother is allegedly deceased. Maybe a DNA test isn't the best option in this case. Maybe the court should determine that Salamatu and Abu Jalloh have the ability to care for the child, that they apparently love and want, and let them be a family.
