Pair named as suspects in paternity scam

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Authorities in Cumberland County, Pa., charged two men this week with attempting to alter the results of a paternity test by temporarily switching identities.

Cumberland County authorities alleged that 44-year-old Bruce S. Adkins falsely identified himself as Scott M. Carlson, in order to allow the 51-year-old to avoid giving a DNA sample for a paternity test earlier this year, The Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News said Friday.

Carlson had wanted to give the DNA sample as part of a Virginia woman's attempt to garner additional child support from him for her daughter, District Attorney David Freed said.

Yet when the DNA testing was to take place in April, Adkins allegedly identified himself as Carlson with an out-of-state driver's license.

Authorities alleged that the masquerade was discovered through a fingerprint Adkins provided at the testing site.

Adkins’ attorney, Gregory Abeln, said this week that his client plans on cooperating fully with authorities.

“He’s going to cooperate,” Abeln told the newspaper. “He’s going to do whatever he needs to do to rectify this situation.”