Surrogate twins’ father ‘guilty of child sex crimes’

AN Australian man accused of abandoning his surrogate boy in Thailand after learning the baby had Down’s syndrome was previously convicted of child sex offences in Australia, it is claimed.

The alleged development has raised further concerns about the oversight of international surrogacy.

Australia’s Channel Nine reported the father of Gammy, who is six months old, spent time in jail for “indecently dealing with a child under the age of 13 in 1998”.

The man’s wife, who is of Asian origin, was aware of the conviction but insisted he was a good man.

It is not known if the couple would have declared the alleged sex offence and the development is likely to increase pressure on the Australian authorities to intervene in the case.

Scott Morrison, the immigration minister, said officials were investigating whether the child might be eligible for Australian citizenship.

“We are taking a close look at what can be done here, but I wouldn’t want to raise any false hopes,” Morrison said.

“We are dealing with something that has happened in another country’s jurisdiction. It is terrible, just absolutely horrible and heartbreaking.”

The legal implications of the official queries mean Gammy could be reunited with his twin sister in Australia.

The Australian couple have insisted they did not know of Gammy’s existence and the Thai surrogacy agency only told them about his healthy twin sister, whom they took back to Australia.

Pattharamon Janbua, the 21-year-old surrogate mother in Thailand, claims the father met both children at a hospital there, but refused to touch or look at Gammy.

“He did not buy milk for Gammy. He only bought milk for the girl,” she said.

While child sex offenders would potentially be barred from having surrogate children under Australia’s laws, which allow altruistic or unpaid surrogacy, it is not yet clear whether the father’s alleged convictions could affect Gammy’s status.

Pattharamon, who is married with two children, has rejected offers from well-wishers to adopt Gammy.

An online campaign has raised £124 000 (R2.2-million) to assist with medical treatment. The boy is being treated for a life-threatening lung condition at a hospital.