My Dad Lived Down the Street... And I Never Knew?! | KARAMO

So it's been about a long 24 years since I've been able to figure this out. I know at 15, I found out some information from my papa. He kind of just said, you know, we just sitting at the dinner table and he was like, you know your real dad, right? And I was like, no, but thank you for telling me.

I mean, literally, I love grandparents 'cause they'll just say something. My grandparents used to say something like that to me too. Just out the blue, you know this? And I'm like, how I know that?

Why would I know that?

Why would I know that? No, I didn't. And that's what happened to you, I'm sorry. Because it's like, as much as they're trying to be helpful, it's also news that just changes your whole trajectory of your life in one instant. Exactly. Yeah. So when did you, in your opinion, start realizing that you look different from your family?

I mean, all my life. And they didn't fail to like make sure I knew that either. Like my sisters, you know? But you know, they didn't, I'm sure they didn't mean any harm, but they were just like, you know, that's, Like you look good. We found you in a trash can. You know, you know what I'm saying?

Yeah, sibling stuff. Yeah, sibling stuff.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, I hear it. It's shady, but I understand. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, siblings tease each other. So how did you find out that the man who raised you wasn't your father? How did you get that confirmation?

When I texted my potential brother, he told me, "Yeah, he heard the story that you might be our sister, and you know, if so, I would like to meet my sister," you know? But, and I had, my mother came and picked me up from school and we had a little talk and she was just like, "Yeah." That's your dad, you know, but.

Wow.

So how did you end up getting in touch with the man that you believe is your father?

When I texted one of his sons, Karamo.

Okay, that one. That's the one who you talked to. And when was the first time you got in contact with his son?

2016.

2016. And we have some of those messages here that actually I wanna take a look at. I was always lighter and smaller than everyone in my family and looking at his pic, I was like, damn, but you heard I've heard my whole life, I just didn't believe it. How does he feel about this? And what was the response? How old are you, 15?

He would be happiest.

Yeah, I would be happy. Why do you think that? You've never done anything wrong to him. I promise you if it's true, he'll love you just like he loves the rest of his kids. That's sweet. Wow. He just told me he knew about, he knew but didn't know if it was true. When I get off of work, I'm gonna hit you up.

Wow.

So the fact that he, said that he knew about you was interesting. So did you end up meeting with Keith after you got off of work?

Keith? No.

Okay.

My mother eventually took me to meet him, but I don't know exactly.

'Cause Keith is your potential biological father. Okay. And how is your relationship with him now?

It's good. I think we get along well. It's like, it's, I would hope that he is my dad for real. 'Cause I feel like we really—

'Cause now at this point now, y'all started to have conversations when you were 16? Mm-hmm. So when exactly did you end up meeting Keith?

I'm sure I was probably 15 when I met him.

So if you met him at 15, you're 24 now, why did you want the DNA test now?

We were supposed to take it like throughout the years, right? And I did say something about me because, you know, my grandmother and sisters and everybody, they are so strong that somebody else is my father.

Oh.

So we took the test and it said that he was not my father.

Got it. So now you're like, Since all these years, we finally need to get confirmation.

Yeah.

Well, Keith, your potential father, spoke with my producers yesterday, and before we bring him out, let's hear what he had to say.

When Latajah was 1 year old, her mother came to me and told me she was mine. I wasn't surprised 'cause I have multiple children. Me and her mother had a relationship for a long time. I stayed out of the way because she was already in a previous relationship. So the mom and I had an understanding, With that understanding, I kind of stayed out the picture. At one point, we were in the same community, living like maybe 6, 7 houses down from each other. I'd see her outside playing, and I didn't want to disrupt her life at all, so I would just keep it vague. And I respected my mother's wishes. When she was 1, her mom brought me a picture, an 8x10, of Latajah when she was younger. Yeah, when I see her, I can see myself in her. I see me. The reason I would believe Latajah is my daughter is because her mom told me. I don't think my mom's a liar. Number 2, I feel it and I'm gonna be there for her.

How does it make you feel that he says that he feels it in his bones?

I love it 'cause I just feel like when you know, you know.

So he also said in that tape, what I thought was interesting is that he lived 6 or 7 houses down from you. Did you know that?

No.

You did not know that?

I don't even remember living there to be honest. Like I don't know.

Wow. The fact that he was so close that entire time. Well, I think it's time to meet Keith and hear his side of the story. So everyone welcome Keith to the show. Hey Keith, thank you for being here. Hey. How you doing?

I'm doing well, how about yourself?

Thank you for being here. How do you feel about what was just said?

Well, I mean, I have multiple feelings, you know?

Yeah.

I've just wanted this moment to happen, you know what I mean? More or less anything, more or less for her.

Yeah.

So she can have that closure.

Yeah.

But at the same time, I do want her to be my daughter.

Yeah, yeah.

Because I feel that love, you know what I'm saying? It's always been there from the moment her mom told me.

Yeah.

And as she was younger growing up, we lived pretty close to each other.

Yeah.

Like 6 houses down. She don't remember 'cause she was young. She was a little kid, like just out there playing. I would see her, but I wouldn't say anything. I didn't wanna cause conflict in her home, you know what I'm saying?

I wanna talk about that for you for a second because I think your feelings in that moment are also very valid to know that this woman has told you this could potentially be your child. You're 6 houses down, but you have to practice the restraint to say, I can't see my own child. Because you don't wanna cause a disruption. I mean, when you just said this is closure for her too, this is also closure for you and healing for you as well.

[APPLAUSE] [Speaker] I mean, yeah, to a certain degree. It'll close a lot of doors for everybody that has something negative to say.

[Speaker] Got it.

[Speaker] You know what I'm saying?

[Speaker] Yeah.

[Speaker] Throughout this whole time, her and I never had any negativity towards each other.

[Speaker] Of course.

[Speaker] And that's the most important thing to me. If we can get along, why can't everybody else just let that happen?

So her mother gave you a photo of her.

Yes.

How old, when was that?

How old was she in the photo? She was probably less than 6 months old when the photo was taken. And I know she was less than a year old when it was given to me.

Yeah.

I looked at the picture and dissected the picture up and down. I see myself, I see my mom, I see my grandmother, I see my kids, you know what I'm saying? But I see more of her mom.

Yeah.

And every time I look at her, I see her mom.

Got it. And what was that relationship like with her mother with you?

My best friend, if you will.

Oh wow.

I mean, we wasn't together, but we was always gonna remain friends.

Got it.

Up until the day she passed, we was still texting.

Oh, okay. Wow.

So.

I didn't know that. So your mother is no longer with us.

Mm-hmm.

I'm sorry, how long ago did she pass?

2017.

Got it, okay.

But I mean, I've heard that they were together since they were like 18, 19 years old. So my dad, they're pretty close. He could probably tell you himself. But my dad said that if he's not the father, he gonna be mad.

Yeah.

I mean, we have, me and her dad, which is, I mean, the one that raised her, you know, he's a great guy. I couldn't do nothing but shake his hand.

Yeah.

'Cause he raised her, you know what I mean? And that's—

Do you still have a relationship with the man who raised you?

Yeah.

All right, so I'm getting a ping. Latajah, your sister Dejah has some things she wanted to share. Let's take a look.

Let me keep it real with y'all. I don't think Keith is my sister's father. He's going around telling everybody he's my sister's dad and I don't like that. I messaged him on Facebook and I told him how I felt. He didn't like it, he deleted me. But here's the thing, we don't know the truth yet and you're getting my sister hopes up. Before you say one more word, Keith, let's get to the truth. And here's the real tea. It's another dude who looks just like my sister and I think he's the father.

So she messaged you. What was that like to just get a message out the blue? Because she's hesitant on this saying a child should stay in a child's place 'cause I do believe that a child's opinion and their voice matters. But also in this case, she got involved in business that really didn't belong to her.

And so like, that's why I took the action I took. Yeah, 'cause it's like— I don't dislike her.

Of course.

Because I mean, I can't dislike her and have the love that I have for their mom.

Yeah.

It's impossible.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

However, she's entitled to her opinion. Yeah. But at the same time, you need to be careful how you speak because your sister is involved.

Yes, agreed, agreed. What'd that make you feel like knowing that she hit Keith up and was saying that?

I just know Deja. It's just not, Deja is Deja.

Got it, got it, got it. Well, how were you feeling when your son contacted Lataisha, Keith?

Well, she contacted my son. Oh yes, yes, yes. I was, I started to get the text messages.

Yeah.

And he was like, "Hey man, somebody, this girl on the phone saying you might be her daddy." Yeah. And I was like, "There is nobody who hasn't accepted her." You know what I mean?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

This is my side, really.

Your side, got it. How many kids do you have total?

I have 8 biological.

8 biological.

And she's included in that 8 as well, so.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we have one of your children, Jay, in our audience today. Jay, how you doing?

I'm good, how are you?

Nice to meet you, Jay. So you and Lateshia close?

Yes, like we're close. We never grow up, like all my siblings are close. We didn't grow up together, but we got the closest bond. Me and her, we like a year apart. So we're the closest outta all of his kids, mostly in age. So we got the closest bond.

So are you excited to possibly have a new sister today?

Oh yes. Yeah. Very.

Yeah. I don't, it's not a lot of girls.

It's not a lot of girls.

Well, I think there's no better time than to get to the DNA truth. So. In this envelope, Lataisha, is the DNA truth you've been asking for for 24 years. The mystery that you have not known. Here you go.

Oh my gosh.

Can I tell you?

I'm scared.

I'm nervous with you, but we all putting positive vibes out there.

Okay. I really hope. You ready? I'm ready. I'm scared. I'm so scared. Oh my God. Oh my God.

Yes.

No.

I'm sorry.

No?

He's not.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my God. Oh my God.

So Keith isn't your biological father?

No.

I'm very sorry.

It's fine.

You all right?

You got it.

So don't change. Your best guess. Okay.

I'm very sorry, 'cause I know in this moment you have to process this. You're both in shock. All of y'all are in shock. And I'm very sorry. I want to take a moment to address something that you said, that you feel like things never work out. And I understand what that feeling is. But I want to let you know what I've learned as I've gotten older and through my training is that Moments that feel like they're not working out are meant to propel us to what our greatest destiny is. My granny used to tell me all the time that failures are not the opposite of success, but part of it. And I need you to know that this is part of your success story. And I know it's hard right now for you to hear that, but you are surrounded by love, people who love you. What are you thinking of right now?

Here you go, man.

Here you go. 'Cause if he's not it, then if that dude did lie, and I don't know, I don't know why he would lie. Like, I don't want nothing from him. So if he did lie, and I don't know if he is or not, but then I wouldn't know who it would be.

Well, I will tell you this. I will support you in any way. We have tons of resources here and we can support you in getting all the answers you need and support you in paying for it so that you can get that because you deserve those. You deserve those. You deserve that answer. So any support you need. Keith, what's going on in your mind right now?

I'm heartbroken for her. I mean, it doesn't give her any answers she needed. It does not change anything between me and her. I love her to death.

Yeah. How does that make you feel knowing that he still loves you and he's here for you?

I'm happy. That's good.

Yeah. I'll tell you again, any support we can give you, we can give you, you deserve the support and we're here for you, okay? And hear me again, remember those words and I know it's hard right now 'cause you're in shock and you have to process this. These moments that you think are bad, that everything's happening to you are here because it's going to propel you to your greatest destiny, okay? And it's hard to hear it in the moment. It's hard to hear, I know that. It's hard to believe, but you are loved, okay?

Okay.

Listen, Jay, how are you feeling right now? You can come down here and hug her. Come on down here, come down there. There you go. This is not the ending we were hoping for, but it's not anything we were hoping for, but we'll be here, all of us here to support you, okay? All right, Tayshia.

Thank you.

Yeah, you're welcome.