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by Weaver from Thomasville

Last Post 98 days, 14 hours Ago


13 and Pregnant - Inside Teen Pregnancy
Apr 29, 2008 | 10:12 PM
Category: News
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Childbirth is a beautiful thing. I remember the days both of my children were born as clear as if it were yesterday. My boys are now 13 and 10 andi seems like they are growing up way too fast.

Felesha, Damian and Lil Josh

In the picture above is Felesha and her infant son Joshua. Felesha is 13 years old and was only 12 when she got pregnant. I met Felesha and her 14 year old boyfriend Damian (below) about a week before little Joshua was born but my kids have known Felesha and played on ball teams with Damian for years.

Damian and Felesha made a mistake in the name of having a good time and probably a little arrogance (read - unsafe sex) about life but they have a strong family behind them and they are learning how to be parents while still just barely teenagers.

Felesha, Damian and Lil Josh

I was there with my TV Camera when Felesha had the baby and I visited her after she had settled into mommyhood at home.

They seem to be doing well and the baby is a cute, happy little thing.

The 2 part series on Teen Pregnancy can be seen HERE(PART 1) and HERE(PART 2)

See Julie Luck's Blog about the story HERE

26 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 26
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caddyboy read my blog view my photos
Apr 30, 2008 | 11:51 AM

Teen pregnancy is a problem. But, thank God they had enough presence of mind not ot abort the child.
jivy_ltd
Apr 30, 2008 | 11:59 AM

I agree with the decision not to abort. Killing children is absolutely wrong, however the problem isn't teen pregnancy, the problem is teen sex. If we started teaching these kids more about God's Word and less about safe sex as if it's acceptable, we would see fewer cases like this young lady. She is not a hero! She is one of millions of children having sex.
HankHill read my blog
Apr 30, 2008 | 12:17 PM

Felesha and Damian I am glad you have strong family support. Family will get you through. Never give up on each other or your child. Carry family values in your heart and on your shoulders always. You will run across those that condemn you for what you did. I am not one of them. Probably is not one of the best decisions you ever made, but it is what it is. For sure it will not be easy. I am glad you did not abort the baby. If you were my kids I would say everything you have already heard and finish with I love you. It takes a lot to put yourselves out in the open like this. Hopefully this will help others. Maybe you will not have to deal with the open outright rude comments from any on this blog.
patcancook read my blog view my photos
Apr 30, 2008 | 12:57 PM

HankHill, agree with most of what you say.....except the Mabe you will not have to deal with the open outright rude comments on this blog..........sorry here goes. I think both this kids should have lots of comments thrown at them. Where were the parents of this kids while this sex was going on. If these kids were in sports, church groups, volunteering, special olympics, swim teams they would not have had time for unprotected sex.........What were these parents thinking? Sorry, I dont pander to the family support, its going to be tough on you, kissy kissy sweet talk. This isnt as if they forgot to put gas in the family car. "ok Honey, be sure to do better next time" No, they knowingly created a life. What in the world kind of life will that precious little boy have. What future do these two teens have. Statistically, she will have yet another child within 3-5 yrs. Sorry, no sympathy here.
patcancook read my blog view my photos
Apr 30, 2008 | 12:59 PM

Oh, by the way. Do you see the sadness in this beautiful young childs face. She is clueless. Sad, Sad, Sad situation.
HankHill read my blog
Apr 30, 2008 | 4:02 PM

Patancock

I disagree with you about where were the parents.
I disagree with your active involved kids do not have time for sex.
I disagree that family support will not help these kids. This of course is if we take the statement for what is says and they have it.
I disagree with the fact you think you were rude. You were not.
I understand the difference of forgetting to gas the car and the change that is in store for these kids. I do not know what the future is for these teens and the baby.
I said it was not going to be easy. I guess I could have taken a few swings at them with a 2 x 4 just for good measure. I am not exactly sure what it would accomplish at this point though.
Past the next breath I do not know what my future is.
We will have to agree to disagree.
Yep statistics are against them. Doesn't mean they will be a stat.
They both have many decisions ahead of them. Again I will say the family support will help. There are plenty in the same boat without the family support. Imagine dealing with it and no one that cares remotely close. Now that is a statistic.
I see two kids with a baby that are overwhelmed and their minds racing not knowing what lies ahead.
I see 2 kids that have not lived for themselves as individuals and baby makes three.
The real sadness is how many kids right here in the triad are in the same boat.
The real sadness is anyone believing that sexual activity has boundaries.
The real sadness is believing sex is not in our schools, churches, sports activities, and does not touch many things our youth are apart of. For certa
HankHill read my blog
Apr 30, 2008 | 4:06 PM

For certain sex is just as much a part of the lives of our teens as drugs, alcohol and peer pressure.
The real sadness is what is deemed as acceptable today vs. the past vs. what we as a society will accept in the future.
The real sadness is the blame you place on the parents. I guess they are lucky to have the family support so you can blame the family. I know some parents that do not want to know what their kids do for if they know they have to act as parents. Other parents, I know, are involved with their kids and still things go wrong because of bad decisions. How can I speak about this family?

Sometimes a father or mother can’t be close enough with a water hose on the ready.
I do not know the answer. Do you see him sitting next to her? It takes two to tango. It is not all about her decision nor is it all her being clueless.
I am willing to bet we can both agree on this. Prayers will not hurt
With respect as it is only a conversation
ledfordteen21
Apr 30, 2008 | 4:31 PM

Prayer is what's gonna get this family through. I dont agree with having sex before marrige but what's done is whats done! I've known Felesha since Kindergarden and she's a sweet girl but that has NOTHING to do with it. It was BOTH of their decision and the parents DO have somthing to do with it. BUT the only thing that can help the now is GOD!!! THey can have all the family support in the world and it's not going to help them one bit without God. FORGET pointing fingers at whose fault it is, just pray! That's what they need right now. That's all we can do. I love Felesha, and Damian and Joshua too (even though I dont know Damian hardly at all and I've never met Joshua) but God loves them 10 thousand billion times more! He created them for goodness sakes! ANYWAY all they can do is to make sure they have Jesus in their hearts and lean fully on him through the good and bad times too.
Gram1993
Apr 30, 2008 | 5:57 PM

Hank...Hank.... My, Must you be so bitter ? The spelling of patcancook..Is that really a typo ? Opinions are just that.Correct me if I am wrong..are there some underlying issues with you also. I think it would be safe in saying this story has struck more than one nerve.Twelve years old.. Hank.. twelve.If there is an answer...it was not found on this blog.The 2x4 statement is as appalling as the story.Violence is never the answer to anything.Some times the common sense approach is founded.. like when to SHUT-UP
triadgirl
Apr 30, 2008 | 6:25 PM

sure is one beautiful baby
congratulations
lexingtonsouthmont
Apr 30, 2008 | 8:13 PM

Has either of them considered open adoption. I have 2 children and one of them has an open adoption. Mom and Dad can come visit any time they want, They get to see their little girl grow up, they also can see all the wonderful things that my husband and I can provide as a family. She gets brand new clothes, great education, and several families to love her. She is given more than her birthmom could give and her birthmom made a wise decision. She still wanted to see that baby grow up and be a part of her life, but she realized that she could not give her child everything that we could. She still loves her, but we just raise her. Have these children thought about doing something like that. Yes it is hard to give up a child, but they would still be a part of that childs life. I did not hear anything on the news talking about adoption and those other choices that they could have made. Maybe this child will be fine, who knows. I hope so! Love adoption and foster parents of Lexington.
UncommonValor
Apr 30, 2008 | 9:14 PM

It is a sad situation. However, there is one good thing. All you teens out there reading this blog, keep your eyes on these two as the baby grows and they miss out on all the good teen times and be greatful you are not them. Teen life should be fun and carefree, not bogged down with a baby to feed, clothe, put through school, save for, watch out for, etc. While their teen friends are having this fun, these two will be cleaning baby diapers, etc. It is very, very sad.
HankHill read my blog
Apr 30, 2008 | 9:31 PM

You know what it certainly was a typo nothing meant by it. Sorry.. I get along just fine with patcancook and certainly am most sorry. Nothing wrong with me but tell me when did your horse enter this race. I thought I was responding to patcancook. The 2 x 4 was tied back to useless continued words of punishment for these kids. A metaphor if you will. What inner issues do you see with me and just how.. OH never mind
I will pray for this family.
camprat read my blog view my photos
May 1, 2008 | 3:38 AM

Hey Folks,
I totally agree with ledfordteen21. I think we can all learn from what this person is saying. God gave these two children this baby. I don't know why God did what he did. But I know he did it for a reason. God don't make no mistakes. People make the mistakes...even 12 and 14 year olds...case and point. I know for a fact that I will be praying for these two teens. There are teens out in the world practicing grown up sex everyday. We just don't hear about it because it does not result in a teen pregnancy. I applaude these two families for their decisions to have this child and help raise him. At the same time I am sorry that these two teens will miss out on their childhood and jump right into adulthood. Welcome to our world. Finally, This little fellow is precious. Please keep God first in his life and in yours and you will not go wrong. On a personal note for the grandmother, I sensed some animosity when the story first aired. So I must say every minute you miss of that grandchild's life you will never be able to get back. Please do him like I do all three if mine, LOVE THEM AND WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN'T LOVE THEM ANY MORE, LOVE THEM ONE MORE TIME. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT, FORGET IT, OR GET ENOUGH OF IT, because before you know it they are grown up, too. May God richly bless you, your family, and your newest addition.
jivy_ltd
May 1, 2008 | 1:55 PM

God had nothing to do with "giving them this baby." God allows natural law to take place since we live in the natural world and the baby came because these kids had sex when the girl was able to conceive. You are right that people make the mistakes and if God were to stop them it would interfere with our free will. I agree with what ledfordteen said except for, "what is done is done." This is a stigma that will be passed down generationally unless someone decides to break the cycle. The Bible says that the sins of the parents will affect four generations. What is done is not done unless the parents DECIDE it's done.
TarheelMom view my photos
May 1, 2008 | 2:10 PM

As a parent of a 16 year old daughter (had her when I was 17) the only thing we parents can do is educate them on protecting themselves should they decide to have sex. Ultimately, it is their decision! This family needs to pull together now more than ever to raise this baby. It doesn't matter if they are receiving government assistance, as long as they love that baby its whole life. That's all that matters!
lexingtonsouthmont
May 1, 2008 | 4:09 PM

I have another comment to make. Why is this daddy not in jail. Isn't this considered rape in NC? I know in Florida the police would be knocking at this kids door. Not sure why that wasn't brought up. Yes and God did not give them this baby, sex did. God allows us to live our lives and make stupid decisions like having sex at 12 YEARS OLD.
jivy_ltd
May 1, 2008 | 5:17 PM

tarheelmom, I would challenge you on this and say that we do not need to educate them on using condoms, we need to educate them on the value that they have in God's eyes. That they are kids of a KING, and that they should always call on Him for the comfort and affection they so desire. Without a solid foundation in Him, young boys and girls will seek to fill this void by being intimate with another lost soul. They didn't teach condom usage in the fifties, they taught JESUS!!! This whole country needs to drink a double espresso and WAKE UP!!! Using a condom is only treating the symptom while the Word of God will cure the disease!!!
ronnieandjamie7976
May 1, 2008 | 9:51 PM

Hank...I totally agree with you and wish this gram1993 would go find something else to be ignorant about.I will be keeping this family in my prayers and I want to say one thing to Feleshia.......Dont let ingnorant people get you down or discourage you and do ALOT of praying.I have faith in you and believe you can do this.
kinser_89
May 2, 2008 | 6:13 AM

It would have been nice if the reporter had asked who was going to support this baby - the sperm donor doesn't seem very responsible and the mother also seems clueless. I wonder if they plan to use birth control from now on - my guess is no.
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Weaver

I am Chris Weaver. Around the Station they just call me Weaver. I am a Fox 8 Photojournalist. I hit the streets everyday in search of the best visuals from around the Piedmont to bring to you on the 5, 6 and 10 o'clock news. Oh, and don't forget Fox 8 Friday Football!

Member Since: 8/25/2006


 

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