A court heard that an internet sperm donor fathered 15 children without informing the mothers that he had a genetic disease that causes intellectual impairments.
Despite knowing he had Fragile X syndrome, which causes low IQ and developmental delays, James MacDougall, 37, posted on a social media platform for lesbian women looking for sperm donors.
Despite agreeing not to have any contact with several of his children, MacDougall filed to the Family Court for parental responsibility and child arrangements orders, which allowed him to see four of his children.
MacDougall's application was met with opposition from the three mothers, and court Mrs Justice Lieven concluded that he should not have parental responsibility for the children because it would hurt them. Mr MacDougall was also identified by the Derby Court judge in order to prevent other ladies from utilizing him as a sperm donor.
Mr MacDougall registered as an online sperm donor because he knew he couldn't go to a clinic since he had Fragile X syndrome, according to the court.
SW, a 25-year-old woman, contacted MacDougall after viewing his internet advertisement, according to the court.
Her first kid, R, is now three years old, and was followed by a second child, P, who is two years old. The three-year-old is nonverbal and exhibits problematic behavior as a result of his genetic abnormality.
SW contacted McDougall after the birth, who frequently visited his infant daughter.
She had a second kid while McDougall was living with her during lockdown, and she requested him to leave in June 2020.
She alleged he made sexual remarks to her, brushed his manhood against her, and bathed at least twice with the kid.
SW hasn't seen him since he was arrested for assaulting her in June 2020, leaving her with injuries on her neck and back. He is also the sperm donor for two more children, L, who was born in 2021, and B, a boy who was born in July 2018.
Mr MacDougall won a court challenge allowing him to see kid B on a regular basis in a different court.
Mrs Justice Lieven stated that the youngster had returned from interaction with him and has non-accidental bruising.
The case was postponed until the court got a report from social services. Mrs Justice Lieven concluded that he is not entitled to parental responsibility for the children.
He was accused of using the mother's desire to have children without regard for the consequences on the moms and children.
The judge decided that MacDougall had learning impairments and was on the autistic spectrum, with a significant lack of understanding.
Because of the anguish it would cause the mothers and his lack of awareness into his acts, he was also barred from applying to the court for the next three years.
"The traditional method of anonymity in Family Courts should not be utilized as a tool for parents to behave in an inappropriate manner and then hide behind the veil of anonymity," she continued.