White Couple’s Baby Sparks Viral Buzz After Birth Raises Questions About Paternity
A Tennessee couple found themselves at the center of viral attention after the birth of their son took an unexpected turn. Rachel, a cashier at the Celina 52 Truck Stop, and her fiancé Paul Buckman, both white, welcomed a baby boy—Cash Jamal Buckman—on February 17, 2024. But what began as a joyful announcement soon turned controversial after photos revealed the newborn appeared to be Black.
The truck stop initially shared a congratulatory Facebook post, but it quickly attracted widespread attention and speculation. Commenters questioned the baby’s paternity, prompting the truck stop to update the post with an unusual clarification: “Yes, Paul is the father. Rachel has African American DNA that can skip generations.” They also suggested that Cash might be showing signs of jaundice and urged the public to “please be kind.”
However, the online community remained skeptical. Jokes, memes, and theories spread rapidly on TikTok and Facebook. Many questioned whether a hospital mix-up had occurred—or if Paul was truly the father. Some showed support for Paul, with others calling the situation “strange” and advising caution.
In an effort to quiet the rumors, Rachel shared screenshots of her ancestry results, claiming distant African American heritage. Still, many found it hard to believe that a small percentage of DNA could explain the baby’s appearance. The debate only intensified.
As the story snowballed, Celina 52 Truck Stop addressed the controversy in a final Facebook statement on March 24. They revealed that the couple had taken both a polygraph and a DNA test—coordinated through the Steve Wilkos Show. The results confirmed that Paul was not the biological father.
Rachel later explained that Cash was conceived in 2021 during a past relationship and claimed the father’s traits emerged after she contracted COVID-19, referencing “dormant DNA activation”—a claim that drew further scrutiny.
Despite the revelation, Paul decided to remain in the child’s life and continue raising Cash as his own. The truck stop closed their statement with a heartfelt line: “Paul, you are NOT the father, but you ARE the dad.”
