When Cash Jamal Buckman was born, his parents expected congratulations—not a viral debate over his paternity. But when the white couple’s baby was born with darker skin, the internet had questions.
Rachel, a truck stop cashier, and her fiancé Paul faced a flood of online speculation. Some suggested jaundice (a common newborn condition), while others joked about “hidden genes.” Rachel even shared DNA results showing 1% African ancestry, but the jokes kept coming.
“Maury’s waiting,” one commenter wrote.
Eventually, a paternity test revealed Paul wasn’t the biological father. Rachel’s wild explanation—that an ex’s DNA lay dormant until COVID “activated” it—left people stunned. Yet, in a heartwarming turn, Paul chose to stay and be Cash’s dad anyway.
The story became a modern fable about love, loyalty, and the chaos of social media.
