Content Warning: This post discusses sexual abuse and incest, which may be distressing.
Logan Gifford, a 26-year-old Las Vegas resident, is a beacon of resilience. After enduring years of sexual abuse by his mother, Doreene Gifford, from ages 10 to 16, he’s now confronting a haunting question: Is his 15-year-old brother also his son? Gifford’s decision to share his story, first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal on March 20, 2025, and updated by Daily Mail on May 6, 2025, is a powerful act of bravery. His journey—from surviving trauma to seeking a paternity test—sheds light on the lasting impact of abuse and the strength it takes to rebuild. Here’s his story, why it matters, and how he’s advocating for his brother’s future.
A Childhood Marred by Trauma
Born in 1998, Gifford’s early years were far from ordinary. As the eldest of four brothers, he grew up amid drug exposure and five child protective services cases, per Las Vegas Review-Journal. The family faced tragedy when his youngest brother, Liam, drowned in a pool at age three in 2013, per Irish Star. But the deepest scars came from his mother’s actions. In 2015, Gifford testified that Doreene Gifford began sexually assaulting him at age 10, often in her bedroom while pornographic videos played, with incidents continuing until 2014, per Daily Mail. One assault in late 2008 coincided with the conception of his now-15-year-old brother, raising the possibility that Gifford could be his father.
At 16, Gifford disclosed the abuse to a therapist, leading to a criminal case. Doreene, maintaining her innocence, took an Alford plea in 2015 for attempted sexual assault and attempted lewdness with a child under 14, receiving an 8-to-20-year sentence and a sex offender registration order, per Yahoo. An Alford plea acknowledges sufficient evidence for conviction without admitting guilt. She was paroled in July 2024 but re-incarcerated in January 2025 for violating parole by contacting a victim, with a hearing set for April 2025 at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center, per The Mirror.
The Paternity Question: A Painful Pursuit
Gifford’s therapist first suggested at age 17 that his brother, born in 2009, might be his son, a revelation that “threw me for a loop,” he told Las Vegas Review-Journal. The brother, who has cognitive difficulties—a potential consequence of incest, per Linda Ikeji’s Blog—lived with their father, Theodore Gifford, until January 2025, when Logan assumed temporary guardianship. Now living with Gifford, his wife, and stepdaughter, the teen receives a disability check, per Irish Star.
Driven by duty, Gifford filed a paternity petition in Las Vegas Family Court, seeking a DNA test to determine if he’s the father. On May 5, 2025, a judge ordered the test, a “critical step toward truth, healing, and legal clarity,” Gifford told 8 News Now. His attorney, Timothy Treffinger, notes that paternity testing is complex because both brothers share Theodore’s DNA, requiring advanced analysis, per Daily Mail. Doreene denies Gifford’s paternity but agrees to testing, per The Express. If Gifford is the father, the case becomes a custody matter; if not, it remains a guardianship case. Regardless, Gifford vows to ensure his brother’s stability, saying, “He deserves to have a quality of life where he’s comfortable, where he can be a kid.”
Gifford’s emotional weight is palpable. “To sit here and say that my brother may be the product of my sexual assault is a very visceral thing to think about as a male survivor,” he told Las Vegas Review-Journal. Yet, he’s committed to transparency for his brother’s sake, launching a GoFundMe to cover legal and testing costs, per Daily Mail.
A Life Rebuilt, A Voice for Change
Despite his past, Gifford has forged a remarkable path. He earned an associate’s degree in secondary education from the College of Southern Nevada, works as an account executive at a marketing firm, and serves as executive director of Repair the Vote, a political action committee that passed Nevada’s Voter ID requirement in 2024, per Las Vegas Review-Journal. Married with a stepdaughter, he’s a caregiver and advocate, using his story to highlight the often-ignored experiences of male survivors. Nearly half of men report some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetimes, per the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, yet stigma silences many, per Yahoo.
On X, Gifford has been hailed as a survivor. @Logan_Gifford98 posted on May 21, 2025, sharing a clip from his mother’s 2015 parole hearing, emphasizing his testimony’s impact, per. However, @SeeRacists’ March 24, 2025, post sensationalized the story, focusing on the brother’s cognitive disabilities, prompting mixed reactions, per. A Lipstick Alley commenter on March 20, 2025, questioned publicizing the paternity issue, citing the brother’s privacy, while praising Gifford’s caregiving, per. These responses reflect admiration for Gifford’s courage but concern over the case’s sensitivity.
Why This Matters
Gifford’s story transcends personal tragedy, exposing systemic gaps in supporting male survivors and abused children. He told 8 News Now, “I call upon our community to begin an open conversation about reform needed to support male survivors of sexual assault,” urging better Child Protective Services training to detect family-based abuse, per Yahoo. A 2023 National Sexual Violence Resource Center report notes that 1 in 4 male survivors face disbelief or stigma, hindering reporting. Gifford’s public stance challenges this, inspiring others to speak out.
The case also highlights the lifelong ripple effects of abuse. Gifford’s guardianship of his brother, potential paternity, and advocacy reflect a young man reclaiming agency. His GoFundMe underscores his commitment: “I’ve filed a paternity petition to get answers, not just for me, but for him—he deserves the truth,” per Daily Mail.
Support and Next Steps
For those moved by Gifford’s story, here’s how to engage:
- Support the Cause: Contribute to Gifford’s GoFundMe to fund the paternity test and legal fees, linked via Daily Mail.
- Access Resources: If you or someone you know is a survivor, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for 24/7 support, per LittleThings. In the UK, call Samaritans at 116 123, per The Mirror.
- Share Your Thoughts: What does Gifford’s courage mean to you? Comment below or use #LoganGiffordStory on X.
- Learn More: Read the full story on Las Vegas Review-Journal or 8 News Now for updates on the May 2025 hearing.
Gifford’s journey is a testament to resilience and responsibility. As he awaits DNA results, he’s not just seeking answers—he’s rewriting his story and his brother’s future.
Have you been inspired by Logan Gifford’s bravery? Share your thoughts or resources for survivors below.
