Earlier this month, authorities charged two men from Michigan after one allegedly posed as the other to take a court-mandated paternity test.
According to reports on September 18, Derek Harrison, 36, checked into the Macomb County Administration Building under the name Mark McCracken, 34. Harrison then provided a DNA sample, pretending to be McCracken. Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido informed WJBK that the building’s video surveillance played a crucial role when the child’s mother contested the test results.
Upon discovering that the test indicated McCracken was not the father, the mother reportedly exclaimed, “That’s impossible, let me see who came in.”
Lucido shared with WJBK that they showed the mother footage of the individual who took the DNA test, and she confirmed it was not McCracken.
The prosecutor emphasized, “There’s a clear sign stating you’re being recorded in the prosecutor’s office. We take a photo to verify our proceedings.”
Both Harrison and McCracken face charges for tampering with evidence. Harrison faced arraignment on December 1, while McCracken appeared in court on December 10. Additional reports suggest the duo is also charged as habitual offenders.
“The allegations in this matter are truly outrageous,” Lucido said in a statement. “As many know, Macomb County takes matters of child support extremely seriously, and this case will receive the full attention it warrants.”
[Feature Photo: Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office]
