Speaker A
Please be seated. Hello, Your Honor. Hello. This is a case of Conway v. Cruse.
Man fights $53K child support for a 20-year-old he claims isn't his on Paternity Court.
Key Takeaways
- Child support cases can become complicated when multiple state orders exist.
- Paternity disputes deeply affect the lives of all parties involved, including financial and emotional hardships.
- Legal representation can be a barrier due to cost and jurisdictional issues.
- Clear communication and timely legal actions are crucial in paternity and child support matters.
- The court seeks to balance evidence, testimony, and fairness in resolving paternity and support disputes.
Summary
- Edwin Conway faces over $53,000 in back child support for Trevon Cruse, a 20-year-old he claims is not his biological son.
- Conway argues he has been arrested multiple times due to unpaid child support and has struggled financially.
- There are two child support orders in different states, Missouri and Nebraska, complicating the case.
- Conway claims he was not allowed to sign the birth certificate at the hospital and was absent during key moments.
- T-ella Cruse, the mother, insists Conway is the biological father and accuses him of avoiding responsibility.
- Disputes arise about Conway’s presence at the birth and the timeline of the pregnancy.
- Judge Lake questions both parties and highlights the financial and emotional impact of the case.
- The courtroom exchanges reveal tension, conflicting testimonies, and accusations of dishonesty.
- The case centers on paternity confirmation and the legitimacy of the child support debt.
- The episode ends with a call for reflection on the consequences of absence and responsibility.
Chapters
- 00:00Case Introduction and Background
- 00:54Impact of Child Support on Mr. Conway
- 01:54Legal Challenges and Arrests
- 02:54Mother’s Perspective and Support Payments
- 03:34Dispute Over Birth Certificate and Presence at Birth
- 06:03Pregnancy Timeline Dispute
- 07:43Courtroom Arguments and Emotional Testimonies
- 16:23Judge’s Reflections and Case Conclusion
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
Thank you, Jerome. Good day, everyone. AUDIENCE: Good day. Mr. Conway, you are here today to prove you are not the father of 20-year-old Trevon Cruse, yet find yourself in court today owing more than $53,000...
Speaker A
(AUDIENCE GASPING) In back child support. You claim that you've been arrested numerous times as a result of the child support, and you're ready to prove, once and for all, that you're not his father.
Speaker A
Yes, Your Honor. Uh, you are here in court with your sister, am I correct?
Speaker A
Yes, Your Honor. JUDGE LAKE: All right, so Ms. Cruse, you say you have zero doubt that Mr. Conway is your child's biological father and claim he is denying your son only to avoid paying the child support debt.
Speaker A
Yes, Your Honor. JUDGE LAKE: So, Mr. Conway, you say paying support for a child that isn't yours has basically ruined your life. Tell me how.
Speaker A
Yes, Your Honor, you know, um, basically, this $53,000 they say I owe... Well, I'm paying child support in Nebraska, but he has two orders.
Speaker A
One order in Nebraska, one order in Missouri. I didn't know nothing about exactly where they was in 2005, until I got arrested...
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: And you've never hired an attorney to deal with this issue... EDWIN CONWAY: Ma'am, that's the problem.
Speaker A
If I had to get an attorney, I had to get an attorney from Missouri, but I live in Nebraska.
Speaker A
So it was gonna cost me way too much money to have an attorney in Missouri...
Speaker A
Well, I'm sure it'd be less than $53,000. CONWAY: A whole lot less than $53,000.
Speaker A
T-ELLA CRUSE: Exactly. (AUDIENCE CLAPPING) It'd been less than $53,000, Your Honor, but this is the problem, I was paying child support for him in Nebraska.
Speaker A
She's the one who went and gotten two orders for him. The brass isn't even worried about...
Speaker A
How many times have you been arrested over this? CONWAY: About 10. About 10. About 10.
Speaker A
Every time I got a house or an apartment. Soon as I'm doing great, I don't care if I'm walking down the street and the cops stop me.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: Right. They pullin' me over. Yes, they stop me and here I come.
Speaker A
You brought your sister... CONWAY: Yeah. Ma'am, I'd like to hear from you. You feel like your brother has made the effort...
Speaker A
I feel like he's all, every time he gets a job or something, you know, um, he goes back to jail.
Speaker A
By the time he's kept from all that time, guess what, that job is gone.
Speaker A
That apartment's gone. Now, you're back on your sister's couch. So you basically have witnessed this cycle.
Speaker A
If you've got that going on in Missouri and Nebraska and you wanna understand and you say, "But I have to hire a lawyer in Missouri," well, then, hire a lawyer in Missouri!
Speaker A
Ms. Cruse, I want you to chime in on this because I want to understand this better.
Speaker A
Edwin has not done anything for my son. You hid... You didn't let nobody see him.
Speaker A
He has tutor... You can call the card $29, this, this... I'm calling Nebraska, 'cause he tried to say this story a long time ago that "I'm paying in Nebraska." I called and I say, "Well, what?" you know, give my information...
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: So you just tried to straighten this out? Why Missouri... T-ELLA: I tried to straighten it out and they said, "We don't have..." I said, "Look, this guy is calling me, harassing me, saying, 'They're taking $700 and something out of my check.'"
Speaker A
I said, "I'm not receiving nothing. I'm not receiving no aid for the state or anything, so why am I not getting my money? I want my money if he's paying it." So you haven't received any support?
Speaker A
Off and on $29. That's impossible, Your Honor. $29 here or there, some three dollars here.
Speaker A
He give nothing, probably altogether, maybe, uh, maybe $5,000 over 20 years, I don't really know...
Speaker A
Really? (ALL TALKING SIMULTANEOUSLY) JUDGE LAKE: One at a time. JUDGE LAKE: One at a time.
Speaker A
(GAVEL BANGING) Let's get some order. Trevon is 20 years old? CONWAY: Yes, he is, Your Honor.
Speaker A
Were you at his birth? Did you sign his birth certificate? Yes, I was at his birth. Your Honor, I could have signed the...
Speaker A
The day I asked to sign the birth certificate, she told me no. I asked to sign, but she told me I didn't have to sign it.
Speaker A
T-ELLA: That's a lie. JUDGE LAKE: Did you say that, Ms. Cruse? CONWAY: She told me not to sign the birth certificate.
Speaker A
He came up and... That's why my name is not on this birth certificate. JUDGE LAKE: Jerome, let me see that evidence please.
Speaker A
(CONWAY STAMMERING) T-ELLA: He came... My name is on that birth certificate. She told me not to sign the birth certificate.
Speaker A
You said she didn't let you sign the birth certificate? CONWAY: In the hospital, when the nurse came in, she told me not to sign the birth certificate.
Speaker A
T-ELLA: Wow... CONWAY: Tell me I'm lying, TT. T-ELLA: You lyin'. JUDGE LAKE: Ms. Cruse, is that true?
Speaker A
T-ELLA: You lyin'. CONWAY: Come on, TT. You lyin'. You lyin'. CONWAY: Oh, I tell you, I tell you...
Speaker A
Your Honor... Well, why isn't he on this birth certificate? Because he was missing in action.
Speaker A
I was at the hospital when he was born. You got a C-section. I was there!
Speaker A
Exactly, you was there, but you was missing in action. Oh, come on, TT. You weren't there (ARGUING INDISTINCTLY) All right, you talk to Judge.
Speaker A
So, what you're saying, Ms. Cruse, is by the time they brought the birth certificate...
Speaker A
Exactly... JUDGE LAKE: He was not there. He wasn't there, he was back in the street.
Speaker A
(ARGUING INDISTINCTLY) You all, stop talking over one another. I cannot hear you. JUDGE LAKE: Proceed, Ms. Cruse.
Speaker A
He was there when I actually had the baby, but they don't just bring the birth certificate...
Speaker A
"Here's your baby, here's your birth certificate for sign." No, you had to stick around.
Speaker A
He was there for the joy and then, he's gone like he always did. He wanted to call and come, and look, you know, "Oh, that's my son when he's in football practice," one time of his life, no birthdays, no nothing.
Speaker A
But, no, he... This is all a lie. He's just now coming up with all this.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: So, Mr. Conway, your name is not on the birth certificate. You've expressed today that you wanted to be on the birth certificate. If you mi...
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: If you missed the opportunity to sign the birth certificate in the hospital, why not make arrangements at a later date?
Speaker A
T-ELLA: Exactly. Your Honor, she left town. She left town. We was doing all right.
Speaker A
We was doing all right. We both had a job. We happened to lose our apartment. When we lost our apartment, she hit the corner.
Speaker A
She was gone for nine months. She came back in June, told me in July she's pregnant.
Speaker A
She had the baby in January. T-ELLA: Lies... That's seven months. The baby's got to be nine months, I mean, come on.
Speaker A
What is that you're holding? CONWAY: It's a calendar... I'd like to see that. Jerome, will you hand me that evidence please.
Speaker A
So, you've made a calendar? That's right. To outline to me how this has happened.
Speaker A
CONWAY: And that's seven months, you can't have a baby, nine months in seven. So, you're saying she left and then returned home in June.
Speaker A
CONWAY: Yup. JUDGE LAKE: She told you she was pregnant in July. CONWAY: Had the baby, January 17th.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: Then had the baby January 17th. T-ELLA: That's right. CONWAY: That's right. So you count back, one, two, three, four, five, six...
Speaker A
Seven. Well, even if it was six or seven months, you're saying, it's not enough time CONWAY: It's not enough time.
Speaker A
Was Trevon a full-term baby? Yes, he was a full-term. CONWAY: She came back pregnant.
Speaker A
And, Your Honor, I had a job, so I can't just go somewhere, eight or nine months, and then woo, come back.
Speaker A
So you saying, you weren't gone that long. T-ELLA: No. CONWAY: Oh, Your Honor, come on...
Speaker A
Yes, she was... That must be, you know, he got selective memory. Bottom line is...
Speaker A
This six, seven months... T-ELLA: He's a liar. Bottom line. Pregnancy in your mind, you're saying...
Speaker A
CONWAY: Yeah. JUDGE LAKE: "You tell me you're pregnant in July, "We having a baby in January," this math doesn't add up.
Speaker A
Math don't add up. And now you're almost, close to $54,000 behind in child support. Y
Speaker A
And you say there's absolutely no way this child could be yours. CONWAY: No, Your Honor.
Speaker A
T-ELLA: But yet, he was at the... Yet, he was there, when I had the baby.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: And was mad 'cause he didn't get to sign the birth certificate. T-ELLA: Yes.
Speaker A
That's what I'm trying to understand. That is when I started having doubts when she told me not to sign the birth certificate.
Speaker A
Nah... JUDGE LAKE: Oh, so you didn't have doubts when the pregnancy was six or seven months?
Speaker A
All them doubts started when she told me not to sign the birth certificate, again the first time my mom had seen him, my mom say he don't even look like us.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: So, the point is... The point is, the time frame gave you a little doubt but you were gonna push that aside...
Speaker A
CONWAY: Yup. You came to the hospital, you were gonna sign the birth certificate you were gonna be the father, but then, when she said you say, she said, "Don't sign the birth certificate." That's right, Your Honor.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: She says you missed it. That's what fueled your doubts even more. Yes, Your Honor.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: Trevon, uh... This is a lot for a young man. Growing up, did you know that Mr. Conway was your father, is that what you were told?
Speaker A
There's no name on your birth certificate. I mean, yeah, I knew that 'cause a couple of times he came down to visit me, uh, he tried to call me and when he did...
Speaker A
Uh, but I was, um, me and him is way different. I remember him taking me into a strip club...
Speaker A
T-ELLA: A strip club... To call. 'Cause he said he wanted to call. Okay, he didn't...
Speaker A
Yes, he did. And he said, he wanted to call... CONWAY: Strip club? JUDGE LAKE: Let the young man testify.
Speaker A
TREVON CRUSE: He said he wanted to see when the bus was coming. The dude at the door said I can't come in 'cause I'm too young.
Speaker A
I sat down by the Salvation Army in the Greyhound until he came out. He was inside for like 15 minutes.
Speaker A
He was only around to protect our... The whole while we was in Nebraska... No, man, don't talk to me.
Speaker A
I'm talking right now. Don't talk to you. You're very disrespectful, young man. You've been calling me, you've been calling me your son this whole time.
Speaker A
Until 20 years. Yeah... Okay, so why you're going around talking about my mom like this? Why are you embarrassing me like this?
Speaker A
CONWAY: Oh, man... You're embarrassing. I got a son now. My son has... I pay for everything.
Speaker A
Everything, when I get paid I'll call my girlfriend and I'll tell her, "What do you need?" TREVON: I don't care what it is.
Speaker A
CONWAY: That's a good point. You supposed to do that. Oh, you're not a man, bro.
Speaker A
I did the same for you. I'd do the same for you if you was mine.
Speaker A
No, he's not a man. A real man would stop being in the streets... What streets you talking about?
Speaker A
Man, I've been working all my life. I've never had nothing from you. That's that junk your mama tell you.
Speaker A
All right, hold up. T-ELLA: Why haven't we got child support then if you've been working.
Speaker A
CONWAY: I don't know why you ain't got it 'cause you got it in two different states.
Speaker A
No! 'Cause I got the quarter mile for parking. I tell you why you haven't got it 'cause it's in arrears.
Speaker A
T-ELLA: Exactly. $53,000 worth. So, the point is this... The point is this... JUDGE LAKE: This young man, this young man...
Speaker A
(YELLING SIMULTANEOUSLY) JUDGE LAKE: Is trying to talk about what he experienced growing up. And some people can only focus on themselves.
Speaker A
Yes, Your Honor. He has tears in his eyes as he talks about the earliest memory he has of his father is going on a bus and ending up at a strip club.
Speaker A
But, he can't get in so he gotta sit outside and wait. TREVON: It's all the lies and the fake promises.
Speaker A
CONWAY: Never happened, Your Honor. It never happened. JUDGE LAKE: Let him finish his statement!
Speaker A
He's never held up in his end of the bargain ever. He's never been there...
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: And you feel like he did not make an effort. Never made an effort. It's not hard.
Speaker A
You know, you're not just living for, you now, you have to live for somebody else.
Speaker A
Like I do, you know, what I'm saying. I've been through some stuff but I don't... I mean, I've been through some things but I don't let that affect me.
Speaker A
It does hurt me that I don't acknowledge growing up I used to look at my step-dad like, 'cause I used to see how him...
Speaker A
But that's his real kid though, my little brother. And, I used to wonder like, I used to be mad at my mom like I still do, I mean, "Why?" Like, you love him better than me and it's not because of that, it's because I've never had you around.
Speaker A
Only time you've ever been around, you've never taught me anything. My step-dad has taught me everything I need to know.
Speaker A
Your Honor, he always leave me nasty text messages. He text messaged me every kind of things.
Speaker A
All he talk about on the text message is send him some money. He says, send him his money, that's all he wants.
Speaker A
TREVON: No. T-ELLA: I beg your pardon. You pay this, you pay that, pay everything else.
Speaker A
No, of course, I ain't gonna do that, come on, man. JUDGE LAKE: Mr... Look, look, look.
Speaker A
This court does not in any way condone young people, children being disrespectful to their parent, let me say that first, however, let me also add this young man has stood here today and he's talked about how this has affected him.
Speaker A
And honestly, Mr. Conway, I didn't see you miss a beat. I mean, your mouth's just running like a motor.
Speaker A
(CONWAY CHUCKLES) It's like you didn't even stop to listen to this young man. And so, as much as I want to say, "Oh, there's no way this man couldn't care about this young child.
Speaker A
"There's no way he could ignore him. There's no way "he wouldn't value what his feelings and emotions are." You standing here, in this courtroom doing just that right in front of my face.
Speaker A
(AUDIENCE CLAPPING) And the truth is, with the dates you gave me on that calendar, I get why you could have doubt.
Speaker A
I get it. Math. It's odd. That's his math, though. JUDGE LAKE: But... JUDGE LAKE: I was just about to say...
Speaker A
(TREVON CHUCKLES) But that's based upon your recollection of the events and the times you were together.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: The fact is that despite these dates, you were still at the hospital, and you said in court, "I wanted to sign the birth certificate." Yeah.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: So, when I see a man say, "I wanted to sign the birth certificate for a child," and yet, when he's standing in this courtroom so eloquently speaking about the way your absence has affected his life, and you're not even listening.
Speaker A
Your Honor, I hear what he saying. JUDGE LAKE: And do you understand how it has affected him.
Speaker A
Yes, I do. JUDGE LAKE: What he said... It breaks my heart that story, about how his step-father has a child and it's his real child and he always felt like he was on the outside.
Speaker A
Did you hear that? (VOICE BREAKING) Yes, I do. I understand that, Your Honor. So, now, are we ready for the results?
Speaker A
I am. Because I most certainly am. Yes, I'm ready. Yeah sure. Bring it on.
Speaker A
At the end of the day, the kid is not his. Let's see this. T-ELLA: Yeah?
Speaker A
These results were prepared by DNA Diagnostics and they read as follows. JUDGE LAKE: In the case of Conway v. Cruse, when it comes to 20-year-old, Trevon Cruse, it has been determined by this court...
Speaker A
Mr. Conway, you are his father. That's what I'm talkin' about. T-ELLA: Get your life together, get your life together.
Speaker A
You had no business questioning mine. Yeah, I questioned it. 'Cause he questioned it. I really want nothin' from him.
Speaker A
Can I say something, Your Honor. I'm so... This is... Yes, sweetheart, what would you like to say, Mr. Cruse?
Speaker A
I accept your apology but, honestly, after coming on this after 20 years it's so embarrassing how you just talked about my mom...
Speaker A
T-ELLA: Yes, it is. Yes, it is. CONWAY: I didn't know. (STAMMERS) You're my father, you're my biological father, but, I don't want nothing to do with you for you're not that... The way you just talked about my mom today, in court.
Speaker A
How she just did this and... She did. And then, what you tell me on the phone and what you're showing in person is different than what you're saying right now in court. So, I don't...
Speaker A
I'll forgive you, but... T-ELLA: Sweetie, come over. Trevon, I'm sorry. I apologize, man. I really do.
Speaker A
And I understand that you just had a new baby and if you give me the chance, man I know I can never make up for the time or whatever, but I'll do the best I can.
Speaker A
And I'll try. And I love you, man. (AUDIENCE CLAPPING) Can I get a hug from you, man?
Speaker A
Please. Handshake or something. Can we start somewhere? JUDGE LAKE: That's very nice. AUDIENCE: Aw.
Speaker A
He's angry right now and this may not be the day Mr. Conway. This might not be the time, it may take you one week, two weeks, five months...
Speaker A
Five years. But, if what you said today is true, humble yourself, and approach this young man with love in your heart.
Speaker A
There's a part of letting people redeem themselves that I think is important in life.
Speaker A
JUDGE LAKE: All right? All right. JUDGE LAKE: So think about it, 'cause you're a strong young man.
Speaker A
And a smart young man. And I commend you for being the father that you are.
Speaker A
We have counseling and resources for you and we hope that you'll take advantage of it and figure out how to go forward in a more positive way. I wish you all the very best of luck.
Speaker A
T-ELLA: Thank you. CONWAY: Thank you. Court is adjourned.
Topics:child supportpaternity disputecourt casePaternity CourtEdwin ConwayTrevon CruseT-ella Crusechild support arrearsbirth certificatelegal battle
