Logan Gifford is one of the bravest individuals I’ve come across in a long time. His decision to share his harrowing, deeply painful story is not only commendable but necessary. His words carry a powerful message—one that can educate society and, for others who have suffered similar abuse, provide the courage to break their silence.

At just 26 years old, Logan has endured horrors no person should ever experience. His life has been defined by trauma, betrayal, and relentless pain, yet he refuses to let his past define him in silence. Instead, he has chosen to speak out, ensuring his truth is heard.

A Childhood Stolen by Abuse

Logan’s nightmare began when he was just 10 years old. For six years, he suffered repeated sexual assault at the hands of his own mother, Doreene Gifford. The abuse was so horrific that it’s difficult to fathom how a child could endure such cruelty. Yet, Logan found the strength to escape his tormentor. In 2015, he alerted authorities and testified against his mother, leading to her conviction and an 8-to-20-year prison sentence.

Despite Doreene’s persistent claims of innocence, Logan has never wavered in his account. He has shared devastating details of his abuse, including one particularly disturbing incident where his mother brought him into her bedroom while a pornographic video played and assaulted him. His childhood was further marred by instability, with frequent intervention from child protective services. Tragedy struck again when his younger brother, Liam, drowned in a pool at just three years old.

Left to pick up the pieces of a shattered family, Logan stepped up to help raise his remaining siblings—a responsibility no child should ever bear. But the horrors of his past continue to haunt him in ways he never anticipated.

A Shocking Revelation

Now, Logan faces an unthinkable possibility: his 15-year-old brother may actually be his son.

He believes the boy was conceived in late 2008 during another instance of abuse. The teenager, whose identity Logan has kept private, lives with cognitive challenges—a heartbreaking reality given that children born from incest face higher risks of genetic disorders and disabilities.

“Look at the mess that I’m left with. I didn’t ask for any of this,” Logan told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in an emotional interview.

Determined to uncover the truth, Logan is seeking a court-ordered paternity test. His attorney, Timothy Treffinger, confirmed that Doreene has denied the allegations but is willing to comply with testing. For Logan, this isn’t just about answers—it’s about responsibility.

“I feel that it is my obligation, my duty to [him], to do this and find out who his biological father really is,” he said.

The idea that he could be the father was first suggested by his therapist—a revelation that left him reeling. “I was 17 at the time. That threw me for a loop,” he admitted.

A Complicated Family Dynamic

Logan’s younger brother, who receives disability benefits, now lives with him under temporary guardianship. Before January, the teenager had been living with their father, Theodore. If paternity confirms Logan is the father, the case will shift from guardianship to custody. If not, it remains a guardianship matter. However, establishing paternity is complicated because both brothers share Theodore’s DNA, making definitive results difficult to obtain.

For Logan, grappling with the possibility that his brother is also his son is an agonizing reality.

“To sit here and say that my brother may be the product of my sexual assault is a very visceral thing to think about as a male survivor,” he said. “But he’s here now. There’s no going back and undoing anything. And he deserves to have a quality of life where he’s comfortable, where he can be a kid.”

A Mother’s Continued Betrayal

As for Doreene, she was released on parole in July 2023—only to be arrested again in January for violating parole by contacting a victim. She now awaits a parole violation hearing in April while being held at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center.

The Road Ahead

Logan’s story is one of unimaginable pain, but also of resilience. He refuses to let his trauma silence him, instead using his voice to seek justice, truth, and healing. His fight for paternity answers isn’t just about legalities—it’s about ensuring his brother (or son) has the life he deserves.

His courage serves as a reminder that survival isn’t just about enduring—it’s about reclaiming power, demanding accountability, and refusing to let darkness win.

For anyone who has suffered in silence, Logan’s message is clear: You are not alone. Your voice matters. And for society, his story is a call to action—to listen, to believe, and to stand with survivors.

Logan Gifford’s battle is far from over, but his strength ensures that, no matter the outcome, his truth will never be buried again.