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	Former Priest, Ex-Stripper Set for Child Custody Battle A Catholic Priest and His Former Paramour Appear Set to Battle over Custody Rights for the Baby Girl He Admits Fathering By David Ovalle Miami Herald October 7, 2009 http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1271872.html South Florida Catholic priest David Dueppen admits he fathered a baby with a former stripper, and now wants custody of the infant girl. Dueppen, in documents filed in Miami-Dade family court, said he wants to be the primary caretaker of baby Marilyn Epiphany, who was born in January. "He has never denied paternity for the child and he would like to be very involved in the child's life," his attorney, Raymon Rafool, said Wednesday. Rafool said Dueppen, 42, should have custody of the child at least 70 percent of the time. The former stripper, Beatrice Hernandez, 42, came forward last month to claim that she had been Dueppen's on-again, off-again girlfriend since meeting him at Porky's strip club about seven years ago. Dueppen joined the priesthood in 1999 and was last assigned to St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Pembroke Pines. He took an indefinite leave of absence in August, after Hernandez reported the baby's existence to the archdiocese. In court papers, Hernandez said Dueppen had choked her during an argument over paternity and child support. A judge issued a temporary restraining order against him. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19. Dueppen denied the domestic abuse allegations and is now looking for a job outside the priesthood, Rafool said. Miami Archdiocese spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta said Dueppen is still a priest on leave, though he cannot perform services or wear clergy attire. He has not requested to leave the clergy, she said. Such requests must be approved in Rome, she said. Hernandez's attorney, Michael Feiler, said his client is "pleased Dueppen has acknowledged paternity" but wants sole custody of the child. "Given the history between the parties and the allegations of violence, my client does not believe it is appropriate or healthy for him to be around the child," Feiler said. The couple's past relationship was well-known to the church. Three years ago, the archdiocese paid Hernandez a settlement stemming from the long-running affair. Within the past year, Hernandez says, Dueppen -- still a priest -- unexpectedly showed up to rekindle their romance. The result: little Marilyn Epiphany. Hernandez faces a misdemeanor stalking charge in Miami-Dade for allegedly harassing a woman she believed was Dueppen's girlfriend. A trial is pending. Contact: dovalle@MiamiHerald.com
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