Defede Priest Admits Paternity, Demands Custody, CBS 4, October 6, 2009

Defede: Priest Admits Paternity, Demands Custody

CBS 4
October 6, 2009

http://cbs4.com/local/defede.priest.stripper.2.1231820.html

Father David Dueppen and Beatrice Hernandez

Father David Dueppen, the disgraced Catholic priest who had an affair with a stripper, admitted that he is the father of her nine-month-old baby and is asking the court for primary custody of the child.

"He loves the child," said Dueppen's attorney, Raymond Rafool. "He wants to be in the child's life."

In court papers filed late Monday, Dueppen is asking that the baby, Marilyn Epiphany Hernandez, stay with him 70 percent of the time and that the baby spend the remaining 30 percent with her mother, Beatrice Hernandez.

"We believe him to be the more fit parent for the child," Rafool said.

Dueppen is also requesting that the baby's name be legally changed to Marilyn Epiphany Dueppen.

Hernandez told CBS4 News last month she did not want to share custody with Dueppen and that she was afraid he would take the child and flee.

"I fear for my daughter's safety and for mine because he said it to me, he's going to take Marilyn away from me and he's going to disappear me," she said. "He said the archdiocese is very, very powerful and I believe it."

But the archdiocese may not be a factor anymore. Rafool said Dueppen is in the process of separating from the Catholic Church and no longer considers himself a priest.

"There's been no formal resignation but there is no question that his vows were broken," said Rafool. "And although the Catholic Church is a very forgiving church, at this point it is more apparent that he is a father and he wants to be a father and so right now, in terms of him being a priest, that's not really in his future."

Rafool confirmed that Dueppen did first meet Hernandez when the priest showed up one night about six years ago at the Miami strip club Porky's.

"Well, David has made some mistakes and there is no question about that and he would be the first to admit that he made some mistakes," said Rafool. "He loved the priesthood. He loved the church. He had a relationship with Mrs. Hernandez, how and when that all occurred – well, it was nothing that was ever really planned."

Rafool wouldn't discuss all of the allegations made by Hernandez regarding their sex life – including the claim by Hernandez that he pressured her to go to swingers clubs so she could excise her spiritual demons by having sex with other women. He said he did not believe the story was "accurate" but was still investigating.

Rafool did, however, vehemently deny claims made by Hernandez that Dueppen physically assaulted her earlier this year. Hernandez claims Dueppen attempted to strangle her. She has asked for a restraining order against the erstwhile priest.

The case sets up an interesting court battle. Who would make a better parent: the former stripper or the disgraced former priest?

Rafool said Dueppen's transgressions as a priest will have little bearing on the case.

"There is nothing in the law that says if you violate your vows as a Catholic priest that that will be a factor and weigh on whether you're a good parent," said Rafool. "Now, whether you are in fact an exotic dancer, a stripper, a prostitute, whatever it is, that would weigh on it because they are factors in the law that deal with your morals."

Rafool is used to high-profile and sensational cases. He recently represented Linda Hogan in her nasty divorce with wrestler and reality star Hulk Hogan. Rafool made headlines when he got into a verbal shouting match with Hogan outside the courtroom in Clearwater.

Hernandez's attorney, Michael Feiler, said he would be filing his own response to Dueppen's claims for custody in a few days. He said he expected to ask that sole custody of the child be given to Beatrice.

One of the questions Feiler will have for Dueppen: Where did he get the money to afford lavish nights with strippers and to pay for a condo for Hernandez while she was pregnant?

Rafool said all of the money Dueppen spent came to him legally as part of his salary as a priest. "First and foremost, all of the funds he received were legitimate funds that he earned," Rafool said. "He utilized the income that he earned through the priesthood."

A priority for Dueppen will be formally severing his ties with the church and finding a new job. Before being a priest, Dueppen was a teacher at Miami Springs Middle School. Rafool said he hopes to find another teaching position soon.

"He'll make a living like you and I do," Rafool said. "He'll go out and get a job."

Rafool said Dueppen did have a job offer recently but it was withdrawn as a result of all of the publicity.

"As for how he is proceeding forward, he has a positive attitude," Rafool said. "He's going to put all his energies into being a father and earning a living so he can support his family."