A Michigan father allegedly orchestrated a brazen scheme sending a lookalike coworker to fake a court-ordered DNA paternity test, dodging child support for his 2-year-old daughter and betraying family responsibilities.
Story Snapshot
- Mark McCracken (34) and Derek Harrison (36) charged with felony evidence tampering in Macomb County for the impersonation fraud.
- Harrison posed as McCracken at the DNA test on September 18, 2025, producing a false negative result to evade paternity of Taliah.
- Mother Icess Hardin exposed the plot by identifying Harrison from prosecutor photos, protecting her daughter’s right to support.
- Both habitual offenders face up to 15 years in prison; Prosecutor Pete Lucido calls it an unprecedented outrage against child welfare.
The Fraudulent Paternity Scheme
Mark McCracken, 34, allegedly arranged for coworker Derek Harrison, 36, to impersonate him during a court-ordered DNA test at the Macomb County Administration Building. Harrison signed in using McCracken’s name and provided a cheek swab on September 18, 2025. The lab reported a negative paternity result, falsely clearing McCracken as father of 2-year-old Taliah. McCracken sought to hide the child from his wife and avoid financial obligations. This violated core family duties that conservatives hold dear, undermining innocent children’s security.
Hardin’s Vigilance Uncovers the Deception
Icess Hardin, mother of Taliah and McCracken’s 8-year-old son from their on-again, off-again relationship, challenged the negative result immediately. She returned to the prosecutor’s office insisting it was incorrect. Officials provided surveillance photos and video from the testing site, which captures all visitors under posted warnings. Hardin instantly recognized Harrison as McCracken’s work associate, not the father. Her persistence exposed the fraud, ensuring accountability in a system strained by $300 million in local child support arrears.
Prosecutor Pete Lucido launched an investigation, confirming the scheme’s details through sign-in logs and imagery. He emphasized Macomb County’s serious approach to child support enforcement, having recovered over $3 million since 2021. Lucido stated he had never seen such a stand-in tactic in his career, highlighting its outrageous breach of parental responsibility.
Charges and Habitual Offender Status
Both men face felony tampering with evidence charges. Harrison was arraigned December 1, 2025, and McCracken on December 10. As habitual offenders with prior criminal histories, conviction could mean 15 years in prison each. They remain in custody at Macomb County Jail as of December 19 reports. McCracken’s attorney invoked presumption of innocence, but evidence from photos, video, and Hardin’s identification appears overwhelming. This case deters fraud eroding family stability.
Broader Implications for Family and Justice
The scheme spotlights failures in personal accountability, where men evade duties to children amid marital secrets. Taliah, an innocent 2-year-old, deserves legal recognition and support from her father, whom reports indicate McCracken is. Lucido noted, “A child only has one childhood. They don’t get two,” aligning with conservative values prioritizing family welfare over individual evasion. Macomb County’s safeguards proved effective, but the $300 million arrears underscore ongoing crises in enforcement. While precedents exist elsewhere, this local case stands unprecedented per Lucido.
Sources:
Atlanta Black Star: “Michigan Man Accused of Sending Stand-In to Take DNA Paternity Test”
WXYZ/TV20 Detroit: “Macomb County men charged in alleged paternity test fraud scheme”
