DNA test inconclusive in Las Vegas paternity case involving abuse survivor
Court orders further testing as local man seeks answers about brother’s parentage
A Las Vegas man’s quest to determine if his teenage brother is actually his biological son has hit a complex obstacle after initial DNA testing proved inconclusive, prompting a judge to recommend more advanced genetic analysis.
Logan Gifford, 26, received the ambiguous results Thursday at a Family Court hearing where Judge Vincent Ochoa revealed that both Gifford and his father, Theodore Gifford, showed a 99.9% likelihood of being the 16-year-old’s biological father.
“I think we should have known that was going to come out that way from the very beginning,” Judge Ochoa said during the hearing, acknowledging the unique challenges of this case.
The paternity question stems from a dark chapter in the Gifford family’s history. In 2015, Doreene Gifford was sentenced to 8-20 years in prison after entering an Alford plea to charges of attempted sexual assault and attempted lewdness with a child under 14. Logan Gifford, then 16, had testified that his mother began sexually assaulting him when he was 10 years old, including during the time period when his brother would have been conceived.
Complex family dynamics require specialized testing
According to Logan Gifford’s attorney, Timothy Treffinger, determining paternity is more challenging in this case since Logan Gifford and his brother would both have Theodore Gifford’s DNA, whether or not Logan Gifford is the teen’s father.
Arthur Beaudet, a past president of the American Society of Human Genetics, expressed surprise at the inconclusive results and emphasized that “This is a job not for the average lab that does paternity testing and disputes between individuals all the time. This is a job for a top-notch expert in this area.”
Despite the setback, the judge awarded Logan Gifford temporary custody of his brother, as the previous temporary guardianship arrangement was set to expire. The teenager, who has cognitive challenges, has been living with Logan, his wife, and stepdaughter.
Advocating for male survivors
Logan Gifford has chosen to speak publicly about his case to raise awareness about male survivors of sexual assault. He currently works as an account executive at a marketing company and serves as executive director of Repair the Vote, a political action committee that successfully pushed for Voter ID requirements in Nevada.
“I’m speaking out because there are people suffering in silence right now,” Gifford said in a recent interview. He emphasized that nearly half of all men will report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetimes, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
A GoFundMe campaign established by Gifford to help with legal costs and support his brother’s care has raised nearly $2,000. In the campaign description, he calls the situation “a nightmare I never chose” while emphasizing his commitment to securing his brother’s future.
Looking ahead
Gifford told reporters he plans to pursue the recommended advanced genetic testing to obtain definitive answers. “He’s aware of what’s going on and he understands why we’re trying to get to the truth for him. Because this wasn’t about me. This was about trying to get genetic answers for him,” Gifford explained.
Doreene Gifford was granted parole in July 2024 but was later remanded for a parole violation before being released again. She now resides in Massachusetts and is registered as a sex offender.
The case highlights the complex intersection of family law, criminal justice, and the long-lasting impacts of childhood sexual abuse. As the family awaits results from more sophisticated DNA testing, Logan Gifford remains focused on providing stability for his brother, regardless of the outcome.
“I didn’t ask for any of this. I was a child when all of this happened and yet now I’m responsible for picking up the pieces,” Gifford said, adding that he feels obligated to find the truth for his brother’s sake.
Image Sources: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/judge-awards-vegas-man-custody-232401230.html
Category: Local News
Subcategory: Courts & Legal
Date: 08/04/2025
