In this KARAMO episode, 49‑year‑old Marshall and his wife Amy confront a decades‑long paternity mystery involving Lesha, a woman they have raised as a daughter. Marshall’s late mother Marilyn always doubted that Lesha was his biological child, a suspicion that resurfaced when a producer offered a DNA test. The show walks through the family’s history: Marshall’s teenage relationship with Patricia (Lesha’s mother), the secret pregnancy, the subsequent move to Tennessee, and the years of limited contact between Marshall and Lesha. Lesha recounts growing up believing Marshall was her adoptive father, learning at age 13 that she was adopted, and the emotional weight of her late mother’s claim that Marshall was not her biological dad. The DNA test is performed on‑stage and reveals that Lesha is not Marshall’s biological daughter. The participants react with shock, grief, and a mixture of love and disappointment. Marshall affirms his love for Lesha regardless of genetics, while Amy and Lesha express sorrow and concern about identity and family bonds. The host, Karamo, offers emotional support, encourages processing the news, and highlights the surrounding love from family and friends.
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Today is a big day for 49-year-old Marshall and his wife, Amy. I mention his age because Marshall does not have any biological children, but that may change if a DNA test proves that this young woman named Lesha is his daughter. This is how it all started. Take a look.
3 weeks ago, your producer called me on the telephone and asked was I the one that wanted a DNA test. When she read me the email, I knew it just had to be my mother, Marilyn. My mother passed like 3 months ago. She always had her doubts about Lisha being mine, but I never did. I met Lisha in church when she was 13. It's been really good ever since. We've got a killer relationship. I don't get to see her as often as I'd like to, but we talk all the time.
Despite Marilyn's doubts of Marshall being Lisha's dad, Marshall is the greatest dad to her and my son.
I just want her to know that I'm her dad. She's my daughter.
Wow, beautiful story. Listen, thank you so much for being here, both of you. Really appreciate it. So Marshall, you did not write to our show.
No, sir. I had to be my mother and she had doubts. She felt like she was protecting me, you know? And she said, you know, hey, if I'm gonna be a grandmother, I want her to know that I am.
She was the one that had, you know, doubts. You know, and wanted to know for sure. Yes, and wanted him to know for sure or not.
So Marshall, tell me about Lesha's mother, Patricia.
I mean, we were really young. She was a neighbor, lived at the end of the street. I moved into town and—
She was older than you by 3 years?
We played house, we skipped school, we done what kids do and it led into adult things and Patricia got pregnant and it was just a surprise, I mean. What was that like? Wow, it was overwhelming.
Yeah, so it's not as if you didn't know, you were around back then, but somehow even though you had a sexual relationship with Lesha's mother, your mother still had doubts.
Yes.
Wow.
Yes.
There was rumors that went around the neighborhood that—
And that got to your mother basically and gave her doubts.
Yes, yes.
Amy, when did you first find out about this DNA mystery?
Well, I first found out about Patricia, when we first married, I guess we'd been married 2 or 3 years, we lived with my cousin and her husband. We both, you know, us 2 couples rented a cabin and, you know, we had a little problem with him cheating on me and he quit and we were gonna work it out. Well, the phone starts ringing while we lived there and several times I'd pick it up, well, somebody'd hang up. And one day I walked in and he was on the phone and he hung it up real quick, you know, Thought I wouldn't see him. And I started thinking, you know, that he was cheating on me again. And we got into it and he was like, no, that's not it. You know, I've been talking to Patricia and he was just wanting to see his daughter. You know, that's what it was. Got it. Yes.
So your mom moved you away when she found out about the pregnancy?
She did. She moved me to Tennessee. I lived with my grandmother. It was just to keep me away and like I said, I'm going with, in my mind, I'd like to think, you know, in her mind that she was trying to protect me from something. She just felt like at such a young age, I wouldn't make a good father maybe. I don't know if that was it or it didn't need to be or if it would destroy me. I'm not really sure what she thought.
So Marshall, when did you first meet Lesha?
We were at church and they were having an outreach program and knock on the door, introduce myself. First place I go, and it ends up being Patricia, wow, Alicia's mother. Wow. It's like, you know, God led right to her, you know.
And because you had no idea, so you think you're just about to go do some missionary work.
First house he went to, there they were.
And it was like after that, you know, Alicia started coming to church, and, you know, we started talking and introducing us. And started finding out we had so many things, like for nobody to not even be around each other, we got so much in common.
And Marshall, you don't have any biological children of your own.
I don't.
So why is this important to you, for you, this test?
Well, I just feel like, you know, after Alicia being alive 34 years, you know, I met her at 13, we started bonding, that we'd just like to know, hey, that's my daughter.
Were you close to your father?
You know, when I was 3 years old, they separated. And it was until I turned 21, I got my CDLs, Class A CDLs, started driving a truck. And Amy and I went out on a load together and the truck broke down. Of all places, it was in Clarksville, Tennessee. And I remembered, hey, my dad lives in Clarksville, Tennessee. So that's 18 years I haven't even spoke to this man. He hadn't called me, you know. I'm gonna call my dad. And Amy started pushing it, you know, you should meet your dad, you should meet your dad. And so there it went, you know? And I met my dad that day, got to meet his wife.
Look how divine your life is working out.
It's a little—
That's not all.
Yeah, that's amazing.
So it's been 5 years since you've seen Lesha, right?
Unfortunately, it has.
And why is that?
Circumstances, money, moving. Thank goodness for, you know, the phone and internet, wherever. Stay in touch.
Well, listen, before we reunite them, listen to how this DNA mystery has affected Lesha over the years.
My mama Patricia, she was my best friend until she passed away in 2015. When she had me, she was only 16 years old, but she gave me the best life that she could. In my early life, I thought my adopted dad was my biological father. My mom and him were together my whole life. They started dating when I was only 6 months old. When I was 13, my mama finally told me the truth. She brought me to church one day and introduced Marshall as my real dad. Marshall's been in and out of my life since I was a teenager. I don't know much of the backstory, but I know that Marshall's mother never believed that I was his. True daughter. I always called her Marilyn. She never let me call her Grandma. Marshall is a really nice man, but I haven't seen him in 5 years. My mama isn't here anymore to give me the answers I truly need. If Marshall isn't my real father, I will be devastated.
Family, please help me welcome Lesha and her husband, John, to the show. Come on out, Lesha and John. Thank you.
God loves you.
How are you?
Good to see you.
Good to see you. Y'all look good.
Y'all do too. Thank you.
Alicia, thank you for coming. John, thanks for being here.
Thank you.
So Alicia, who did you believe was your father when you were a little girl?
My adoptive dad. For the longest time, it was all him. And it was a running joke in our family between the siblings, 'cause I have two younger brothers, that my youngest brother was actually brought in through FedEx. He was the adopted one. So, he, but yeah, my adopted dad.
And when did your mother tell you about Marshall?
Well, she sat me down one day. The whole family pretty much did. And told me that I was adopted. I thought it was a running joke.
Yeah.
And, but no, they sat me down and we started talking about how I would have felt if I was adopted. I'm like, oh, I'm not adopted, you know, it's cool. And they were like, no, Lesha, you really are adopted.
Yeah.
And my mom was sitting there and I was like, well, who is he? And she was like, His name's Marshall. And I was like, okay, cool. I was 13, young. I didn't really think about it too much at the time. It wasn't until a little bit later and I was like, ah, you know, I might want to see him.
And what age is that you were at the church and you popped up on the doorstep? Was that when she was about 13?
I was roughly 13, 14. It wasn't long after.
Yeah, so it was like kind of short, like she shared with you that you, were adopted by this man who was raising you, and then he shows up. Marilyn, your grandmother in essence, had doubts about you.
Yes, she came out and told me, she's like, "I don't think you're his." And how old were you when she said that to you? The first time I was about 15. Shortly after that I was older, and by then I had gotten resentment. You're supposed to be my grandmother. And I said, "Grandma," one time. She's like, "I'm Marilyn." Ooh.
So, and I was like, "All right, you're Marilyn." Did your mother ever say there could have been another guy? Was it always just Marshall?
She's like, "I've already told you this, you know, it's Marshall." And she wouldn't go any further about it.
That was it? She's like, "If you wanna know more, talk to Marshall." Who would like to open these results and read the outcome? You would? All right, if you can read it out loud for us.
Like I said, you'll always be my baby girl. Lecia is not your daughter.
I'm very sorry.
Come here, my baby girl. I love you.
I love you.
I love you. I don't change nothing. I don't change nothing.
Yes, of course.
Thank you.
Yeah, there you go.
Yeah.
I'm so sorry what is going through your mind right now.
I guess, you know, she was right. What now?
Yeah. Marshall, what's going on through your mind?
I wanna be more of a father than I ever have and support this girl The day I got a call from her producer, I said, you know, I had to call my daughter. We both agreed that day, you know, if for some reason, I mean, it's not our fault. I mean, there's nothing we can do to change that, but I love you. I love you regardless. Thank you.
Emmy, what are you thinking about? This is hitting you hard too.
I'm so sorry. I thought you were hurt. I know he really did. I know you did too. And I'm just worried. I'm really worried about you guys. I'm so sorry.
Ups and downs and fighting about it. Hurt feelings that I, you know.
I can't believe it.
Now I almost feel guilty about it because she was right. Mad about someone I can't be mad at. She could have told me the possibility, but it was never a possibility, it was 100% sure.
You're talking about your mother?
Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, she passed away in 2015. And everybody that would even remotely know who she could potentially— is gone. And my kids have built a relationship with him. If I say, you know, Grandpa's on the phone, they get excited about it. And you know, they take my phone and run through the house. "When are we gonna go take a vacation and go see Grandpa?" I know. You know, it's 21 years of a relationship. It's not something that I would throw away or regret. I mean, we got memories. But at the same time, for me and my family, it's like, then who? Who is it? Excuse me.
Marshall, I know this may be a hard question for me to ask you, but you were around back then. Is there anyone else that you saw her mother dating that you could possibly say, "I saw her dating, maybe," to give answers?
It was so long ago, I wouldn't know. I mean, no. No. No, I really don't. I'm sorry. I mean, Maybe if we could do some research together. Maybe I could get a yearbook and look, I could give you an idea, I don't know. I'll do whatever I can on that.
I mean, the beauty of this is that you do have someone here who was around then, who can try to, the fact that he even offered to give you yearbooks, and there's a lot of grieving and a lot of heartache that's gonna go on here. There's a lot of, you're gonna have to process this information, it's gonna take you some time. Some time. The beauty of it is that you do have a husband who loves you.
You have— Very supportive.
Yeah, Marshall and Amy are here. They do love you as well. You have people around you that want to be there for you, which is the good part. You're not alone. And I understand this is gonna take you a wave of emotions. You're gonna go up and down. You're gonna be angry, you're gonna be resentful, you're gonna be confused. But at the end of the day, if you can always remember that you are surrounded by love, and your kids are surrounded by love, that you have love around you, it will make that healing a little bit easier. And I know it's a lot easier said than done. So I don't want you to think that I'm gonna minimize your pain and what you're gonna go through, but it helps to know sometimes like, okay, even though this is, I got this news, there's still love around me. And maybe he can give you some answers. You want through yearbooks, and can support you. And whatever we can do to support you here at the show, we'll do it for you as well.
I definitely appreciate it.
Yeah, yeah. Take your time to process though and grieve. I'm very sorry. I'm very sorry for y'all. Hold on, where you going? I'll tell you where you're going. Right here to subscribe and right here to watch more.
