Nevada man named legal father of his brother after inconclusive DNA tests, judge rules

During a Wednesday hearing in a Nevada family court, Logan Gifford, 26, was declared the legal father of his 16-year-old brother, in a case tied to years of alleged sexual abuse by their mother.

DNA testing in the case did not yield a final determination about paternity, with results showing the most likely candidates were Logan and the boys' father, Theodore Gifford, each sharing a 99.9 percent match to the sibling. Because Theodore declined to participate in the case, the court proceeded with a default ruling naming Logan as the legal father and guardian.

Judge Vincent Ochoa granted Logan's request to be named the legal father and guardian of the boy, noting that the court relies on the evidence presented and the practicalities when one party with a potential parental claim does not participate. The judge said he could not compel Theodore to assume paternity if he refuses to participate, and therefore proceeded with the default order naming Logan as the legal father.

Doreene Gifford, the boys’ mother, was charged with sexual assault of a minor and incest in connection with the abuse allegations. She ultimately took an Alford plea to lesser charges of attempted sexual assault, a legal maneuver in which a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict. She is now a registered sex offender on parole and living in Massachusetts.

Logan has since rebuilt his life in Nevada as a political operative, including work for Governor Joe Lombardo. He had previously served as his younger brother's temporary guardian after their father stopped caring for him. The case dates back to Logan reporting the abuse at age 16, alleging that the sexual abuse began when he was ten and that his younger brother may be his biological son conceived toward the end of the period of abuse. The 16-year-old sibling is described as disabled.

The court's decision reflects the unusual challenges in paternity determinations when one potential father declines participation and DNA results point to two plausible fathers. Lawyers and advocates say cases of this nature are rare and emphasize the emotional and legal complexities for survivors and families involved. The ruling provides Logan with formal guardianship and acknowledges his claim to paternity under the circumstances, while the broader family history remains a source of memory and trauma for those affected.

After the hearing, Logan said he was ready to move forward. He described the decision as bringing closure for him as a male survivor of abuse and for his brother, and he said the outcome could be meaningful for others who have endured similar trauma.