Ex-stripper, Priest Engaged in Child Custody Fight

In South Florida, a Catholic priest and ex-stripper are engaged in a legal battle over child custody of the daughter the priest admits he fathered.

The priest, David Dueppen claimed in Miami-Dade family court that he deserves to have custody of his baby Marilyn at least 70 percent of the time, the Miami Herald reports. The 10-month-old child's mother, a former stripper named Beatrice Hernandez, told the Miami archdiocese last month that she and Dueppen had rekindled a seven-year romantic affair after they met at Porky's strip club.

Since the child's birth, a judge issued a temporary restraining order against the priest, after the ex-stripper claimed he choked her during an argument over paternity and child support.

The 42-year-old Dueppen, who took a leave of absence from the priesthood last month, has denied the domestic abuse allegations and now seeks a job outside of the priesthood. Before 1999, when he was ordained, Dueppen taught in a middle school.

Hernandez's attorney, Michael Feiler told the news source, "Given the history between the parties and the allegations of violence, my client does not believe it is appropriate or healthy for [Dueppen] to be around the child."

Hernandez, also 42-years-old, is also involved in a misdemeanor stalking case for allegedly harassing a woman she believed was Dueppen's girlfriend.