Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ star wide receiver, has found himself embroiled in legal battles over paternity and child support, just weeks after marrying his long-time girlfriend, Keeta Vaccaro. Two women, Brittany Lackner and Kimberly Baker, have come forward, each claiming that Hill is the father of their children born earlier this year. Both women have demanded paternity tests and increased child support payments, alleging that Hill has neglected his responsibilities.
Paternity tests have confirmed that Hill is indeed the father of both children. Despite this, Hill has requested additional tests before being mandated to make child support payments, although he is currently paying both women $2,500 a month voluntarily. Lackner, who gave birth to a son named Soul Corazon Hill in February 2023, argued that the amount is “woefully inadequate” given Hill’s $30 million annual NFL salary. She claimed that a prenatal paternity test had already shown a 99.9 percent probability that Hill was the father.
Hill responded by stating he is “willing and able to perform parental duties for his minor child should he be determined to be the father.” However, he also attempted to have Lackner’s suit dismissed, arguing that the child was conceived in Kansas, where Lackner lived before moving to Florida for “strategic purposes.”
Kimberly Baker, the second woman, accused Hill of showing “utter and abject unconcern” for her six-month-old daughter, Trae Love Hill. Baker’s lawsuit claimed that Hill has failed to act as a parent and is not adequately supporting the child. She stated that her monthly costs to raise her newborn are upwards of $10,000 and requested that amount in child support.
Hill also tried to get Baker’s lawsuit dropped, arguing that she had no grounds to sue for paternity in Florida as she is based in Los Angeles. Despite this, Hill accepted the DNA evidence proving he was the girl’s father. Baker’s lawyers argued that Hill must demonstrate substantial concern for the welfare of the child to assert an interest in parental responsibility and timesharing.
Hill’s legal troubles are not new. He currently pays $13,500 in child support for three children he shares with his ex-fiancée, Crystal Espinal. Espinal also had to take Hill to court to prove he was the father of their twins, Nakeem and Nyla. Hill’s personal life has been a subject of public interest, especially after he was accused of child abuse in 2019, although he was later reinstated by the Kansas City Chiefs after a district attorney determined there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations.
Hill’s recent marriage to Keeta Vaccaro has also been under scrutiny. The couple tied the knot at a Texas courthouse in November, but Hill filed for divorce two months later, only to declare it an error and fire his legal team for submitting the paperwork without authorization. Vaccaro is currently expecting their first child together, adding another layer of complexity to Hill’s personal life.
In addition to the paternity suits, Hill is also involved in a negligence suit filed by plus-size influencer Sophie Hall, who claims he broke her leg during a backyard football lesson in June 2023. Hill’s lawyers insist he never touched Hall and that she hurt herself tripping over a dog.
Despite these controversies, Hill continues to excel on the football field. He led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last season and is playing out a four-year, $120 million contract he signed in 2022. Hill has stated that he plans to retire at the end of his current contract, which expires after the 2025 season when he will be 31 years old.
Hill has yet to publicly address the recent paternity suits, and neither has Vaccaro. The Miami Dolphins have also not responded to requests for comment. As Hill navigates these legal challenges, his ability to balance his professional career with his personal responsibilities remains a topic of significant interest.
Source: The Daily Mail, Larry Brown Sports
