Teen father adjusts to status after legal fight for his baby

The Tampa Tribune

BACLIFF, Texas - A 17-year-old who gained custody of his baby daughter after she was adopted by a Florida couple has traded nights out on the town for dirty diapers as he adjusts to fatherhood.

Two months ago, William Jardina sued his ex-girlfriend Stacey Goss, 19, of Dickinson, for custody of their daughter, Kara. Goss had given the baby up for adoption to Christine and Donald Carr of Tampa.

But Jardina never signed papers relinquishing his parental rights, and the Carrs agreed to return the baby during a court hearing in Galveston. She was given to her father last month.

"I like having her back," Jardina told The Houston Post in Saturday's editions.

Jardina, who owns his own home and works for his father's sand and gravel business, lived with his parents and Kara for two weeks. But 3-month-old Kara now lives with her grandparents, Zana and Chuck Jardina, both 37.

Zana Jardina said although her son has offered repeatedly to raise Kara entirely by himself in his home, she has refused. In the meantime, William Jardina visits about three times a day and helps his parents care for her.

"He's still got a lot of growing up to do," said Zana Jardina. "But he's changed a lot."

Change means not hanging out with his friends all night, changing diapers and getting health insurance for Kara. It also means the prospect of soon taking on the responsibility all by himself.