For three years, Dave Hitchens has lived with a question that has haunted him every day: is the little girl he once held in his heart really his?
Sitting alone on the sofa in his Coventry home, surrounded by family photos and scattered legal papers, the 56-year-old clutched a single letter that would change everything.
That piece of paper finally confirmed what he had long suspected—he is the biological father of a toddler growing up in Latvia.
The Pain of Separation
Mr Hitchens’ journey began when his Latvian ex-girlfriend, Irina, left the UK shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Holly.
For years, she denied his paternity, claiming the child was the result of another secret relationship.
The pain of not knowing, coupled with the inability to see Holly, left him heartbroken.
Legal documents, hospital forms, and police letters piled up around his home as he tried to navigate the long, complex battle for his parental rights.
DNA Test Confirms Paternity
Finally, a DNA test conducted in Riga, Latvia, on October 6 confirmed the truth: Holly is indeed his daughter, with a 99.99 per cent reliability.
“I broke down and cried. I was confident she was mine but needed that proof,” Mr Hitchens told the Daily Mail.
While the confirmation brought relief, it also highlighted the bitter reality—Latvian law currently recognizes another man, Irina’s current husband, as Holly’s legal father.
A Glimpse of Holly
During his trip to Latvia for the DNA testing, Mr Hitchens caught his first glimpse of Holly.
Though her mother shielded her face with a blanket, he saw her blonde plaits and her tiny frame, wearing Winnie the Pooh leggings.
“It was nice to see their bond,” he said, holding onto that fleeting memory as both a comfort and a heartbreak.
The Battle Continues
Despite proving he is Holly’s biological father, Mr Hitchens still faces legal hurdles to see his daughter.
His civil case in Latvia has already cost him £10,000, with more legal fees expected in the coming months.
He has vowed to continue fighting for the right to meet Holly, offer maintenance, and eventually have his name legally recognized on her birth certificate. “I just want to see my daughter and hold her,” he said.
Reflecting on a Complicated Relationship
Mr Hitchens met Irina in 2022, and their eight-month relationship blossomed as they anticipated parenthood.
Holly’s conception brought joy, symbolized in a heartwarming Easter gift with a pregnancy test image.
But the relationship abruptly ended in October 2022, with Irina returning to Latvia and marrying her former partner Peter weeks later, all while carrying Mr Hitchens’ child.
Support Through the Ordeal
Through his emotional rollercoaster, Mr Hitchens has leaned on his cousin, sister, and sympathetic employer for support and financial assistance.
“My cousin and my sister have been my rocks during my ordeal,” he shared.
Despite repeated setbacks with UK authorities, he remains hopeful that proving his paternity will eventually lead to legal recognition and the ability to build a relationship with Holly.
Looking Ahead
Mr Hitchens has another court hearing scheduled in Latvia for April 21, 2026, aimed at securing the right to see his daughter.
He stresses that he does not wish to take Holly away from her mother, only to be an active part of her life.
“Holly has the right to know who her real father is, her paternal family, and her heritage,” he said.
With determination and hope, he continues his fight, believing that one day he will finally be able to call Holly his little girl in person.