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August 22, 2002
SARASOTA -- An appeals court has ruled that a man who donated his sperm and fathered twin boys has no parental right to visit or contact the children.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland said Friday the contract that Danny Lucas and Lori Lamaritata signed in October 1994, which outlined visitation rights, was "not enforceable."
Lucas had sued Lamaritata, asking for a larger role.
Florida law says sperm and egg donors must "relinquish all maternal or paternal rights and obligations with respect to the donation or the resulting children," the appellate ruling said.
Experts in such cases said the ruling sets a statewide precedent.