When thrust into the spotlight, they were only children. But what became of Britain’s youngest parents in the years since?
This week, Tressa Middleton, once the nation’s youngest mum, revealed she is expecting her fourth child at 29. Tressa first made headlines in 2006 when she gave birth at just 12. Behind the story was a devastating truth: she had been s*xually abused by her elder brother, later jailed in 2009. Tressa battled addiction and heartbreak after losing custody of her first child, but now lives in West Lothian with partner Darren Young and their growing family.
For 15 years, Tressa held the title of Britain’s youngest mum until 2021, when an 11-year-old girl reportedly gave birth following a horrific assault. Social services confirmed she was receiving expert support.
On the other side, Alfie Patten became infamous in 2009 when, at 13, he was believed to have fathered a baby. A DNA test proved otherwise, leaving Alfie devastated. His later years were marked by unemployment, alcoholism, and legal troubles.
Before Alfie, Sean Stewart was Britain’s youngest dad at 12, fathering a child with his 15-year-old neighbor in 1998.
Globally, the record remains with Lina Medina, who gave birth in Peru at just five years old.
