Is this slander?? Please help!

[car269]

What is the name of your state? Tennesse
I need help in figuring out if this is slander or libel: I am dating a man and his ex-wife is very jealous of this. She has a little boy that is not my boyfriend's legally but my boyfriend is all he knows so he is dubbed dad at her convienience. Well I have been told by her that she doesn't want her child around my oldest because of what happened to him. Well I was a little thrown by this and after asking more questions she is under the impression that my son was sexually molested. There has been something that happened but not to the extent she is assuming. I found out from the boyfriend that he asked her questions because she had been through it. There is no proof of her accusations. I fear that she will tell someone..heck anyone and I don't want lies like this spread about my child. If she does say something to anyone else would that be considered slander? Can I do anything? Do I have options after she says something(if she does) or do I have options before she says anything?

 

[moburkes]

First of all, your current boyfriend isn't the child's "dad" at the mother's convenience. Your current boyfriend was probably in a relationship that he thought would be long term, or he wouldn't have allowed some woman's kid to call him "dad". What's your problem?

Anyway, is she simply says "I heard...", and you are able to respond "Well, that's not true", then what's slanderous?

 

[car269]

Well thank you for your input on the "dad of convienience" comment. I see this is a sensitive subject. I guess to answer your question of what my problem is I would have to say that you are correct in the statement you made. He wouldn't have allowed some women's kid to call him dad unless he thought it was long term...but what is not long term is the fact that after a year and a half of separation she lets him see the kid again because she has to work 2nd shift and needs a babysitter. That is what I meant by "dad of HER convienience"
And it really did not answer my question of if she repeats what she thinks she knows about my child would that be considered slander.

 

[moburkes]

Dad of convenience is not a sensitive subject. I simply think that you are being rude. If your boyfriend is not interested in a relationship with the child, then he doesn't have to see him. Out of curioustiy, is "dad of convenience" slander?

If she says that she HEARD something, then she is being truthful. If she said that a crime was committed against your son, then, apparently, she still is being truthful.

 

[car269]

I apologize to you, I am not trying to be rude. I disagree with using children to get what you want. Which is what is being done in that situation. Neither the child nor my boyfriend can help their feelings and for her to prey on that is wrong, in my opinion. What if a crime was not committed against my son?

 

[moburkes]

Okay, my turn. Wrong choice of words when I said "crime". You stated in your post that SOMETHING DID happen to your son. If she is simply stating that something did happen, then she is not lying right?

 

[car269]

No she would not be lying if it is simply stated that something happened. I guess my fear is that it will not be that simple. I fear there will be lies told and that is what I don't want to happen. If she states my child was sexual molested that would be a lie. If another child got a hold of that info, they can be very hurtful and mean. If my childs name is used with a lie that could possibly affect his character and reputation would that not be slander?