Parents let teenage daughter sleep with 12-year-old boy

The parents of Chantelle Steadman allowed the teenager to share a bedroom with her then 12-year-old lover, a family friend claimed today.

Chantelle was 14 when she became pregnant by Alfie Patten, who although now 13 is barely four foot and looks about eight.

She gave birth to Maisie Roxanne on Monday, leaving hospital yesterday to return to her council home on an Eastbourne estate, shared with her parents and four younger siblings.

Neighbours claimed the children often "ran wild" in the street while family friend, Sean Thomas, branded Chantelle's parents Steve and Penny Steadman, who live on benefits, as "irresponsible".

Mr Thomas, 20, who lives opposite the Steadmans, said today: "There were at least three other boys who have been allowed to stay with Chantelle.

"When she was first pregnant I know there was some confusion over who the father might be. There is still talk of doing a DNA test to make sure.

"Chantelle is treated like an adult, allowed to do whatever she wants. She is not a young innocent girl who got pregnant with the first boy who came along."

Mr Thomas claimed Mr Steadman was once investigated by police after disappearing, taking one of his sons with him.

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "Mr Steadman was wanted by the police and when they came to arrest him, he ran away. They let the kids run wild on the street until all hours, they have no control over them."

Alfie and Chantelle met when both lived in nearby Hailsham but when the Steadmans moved, Alfie was a frequent visitor, and allowed to stay overnight.

It was suggested today Chantelle, who was on the pill but forgot to take it, got pregnant after one night of unprotected sex with Alfie, who was 12 at the time.

Chantelle discovered she was having a baby 12 weeks later after a trip to the doctor's but kept it secret from mother Penny, 38, for six weeks.

They decided against an abortion and on Monday - after a five-hour labour - Chantelle, now 15, gave birth to Maisie Roxanne, who weighed in at 7lb 3oz at Eastbourne Hospital.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper today, Alfie promises to be a good father but admits he can't really afford the child's upkeep - he doesn't even get pocket money.

He said: "I thought it would be good to have a baby. I didn't think about how we would afford it. I don't really get pocket money. When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble."

Chantelle and Maisie are living with her parents. Alfie lives not far away with his mother Nicola, 43, but spends much of his time at the Steadmans.

He even keeps a school uniform there so he can go straight to school.

His father Dennis, 45, who works for a vehicle recovery firm and has had nine children himself, admitted Alfie did not really fathom the enormity of what has just happened but said he was doing the best by his daughter, spending time at the hospital and taking his turn in feeding Maisie from a bottle.

"He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day," said Mr Patten.

"Everyone is telling him things and it's going round in his head. It hasn't really dawned on him. He hasn't got a clue of what the baby means and can't explain how he feels. All he knows is mum and dad will help.

"When you mention money his eyes look away. And she is reliant on her mum and dad. It's crazy. They have no idea what lies ahead."

He said his son was a typical 13-year-old, who enjoys computer games, boxing and supports Manchester United.

Chantelle told The Sun she was nervous going into labour but excited now her daughter had been born.

"I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums. I'll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad."

The girl had tried to keep the pregnancy from her mother by wearing baggy T-shirts but was confronted when she noticed her daughter putting on weight after about 18 weeks.

Mrs Steadman has accepted life will be difficult for the teenagers.

"I told her [Chantelle] it was lovely to have the baby but I wish it was in different circumstances.

"We have five children already so it's a big financial responsibility. But we are a family and will pull together and get through. She's my daughter. I love her and she will want for nothing."

The omens for Chantelle and Alfie in the long term do not appear good.

Britain's youngest known father is Sean Stewart, who was 12 at the time his 16-year-old girlfriend Emma Webster gave birth to their son in 1998. They broke up six months later.