Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
A man from Las Vegas has stirred attention on social media by sharing updates about his intricate family situation, fearing that his brother might actually be his son.
Logan Gifford, a 26-year-old resident of Las Vegas, initially came forward in 2015 with accusations against his mother, Doreene Gifford, alleging that she had sexually abused him starting when he was 10 years old.
In the same year, when Logan was 16, his mother faced conviction for attempted sexual assault, incest, and lewdness involving a child under 14, leading to a prison sentence of eight to 20 years.
Doreene Gifford insisted on her innocence and entered an Alford plea, which means she did not admit to the crime but recognized that authorities had sufficient evidence for a conviction.
In an interview with local news outlet 8 News, Logan expressed his growing concern that his younger brother, who has disabilities requiring specialized care at home and school, might actually be his own child.
Since the age of 11, Logan has been the primary caregiver for his younger brother, taking on the responsibility after his mother gave birth to him.
In July 2024, his mother was released on parole, and according to a GoFundMe page, Logan is actively pursuing custody of his younger brother.
Earlier this year, Logan sought a paternity test, and the results were revealed at the end of the previous month.
At the end of July, Logan used TikTok to inform his followers about the current custody battle involving his brother.
Within the post, he included a screenshot of a news piece that indicated the DNA test results were inconclusive.
He stated: “I have been granted temporary sole physical and legal custody of [my] younger sibling following a court ruling by Judge Ochoa in Clark County Family Court.
“This decision comes as part of ongoing proceedings surrounding a complex and deeply personal paternity matter.
“Recent lab results submitted to the court showed a 99.9% probability of paternity for both me and [his father] Theodore ‘Ted’ Gifford.
“The judge deferred any further advanced testing to our legal counsel, who will be evaluating all modern and accurate lab methods before proceeding.”
The difficulty in determining biological relationships arises because both parents and siblings share 50 percent of their DNA with a child, complicating the process of distinguishing the connection.
During the hearing on July 31, Judge Vincent Ochoa noted that the results should not have been unexpected and should have been anticipated from the start.
Logan’s update continued: “This is about doing right by my sibling. My goal is to ensure their safety, stability, and long-term well-being.
“We are taking the science seriously, and my legal team and I will move forward with thoughtful care and urgency.”
He also mentioned that the next court hearing is scheduled for September 24 at 11am in Clark County Family Court.
For those troubled by similar issues or seeking confidential support regarding child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) is available 24/7, offering assistance across the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.