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Alfie Patten's girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, 15, gave birth to Maisie Roxanne at the Eastbourne District General Hospital, East Sussex, four days ago.

 

The force had looked at the case and decided it was "not in anyone's interests" for a prosecution to take place, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.

 

"Sussex Police Child Protection Team were aware of a 14-year-old girl that had become pregnant as the result of a relationship with a 12-year-old boy.

 

"A joint agency investigation with East Sussex County Council Children's Services has taken place which has considered the needs of both individuals and there will be continued support for these two young people in the future."

 

He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day.

 

Dennis Patten, father of 13-year-old Alfie

 

And East Sussex County Council also issued a statement: "Any birth to parents this young is a cause of great concern to us and in these circumstances we will always offer substantial support to the families involved," said director Matt Dunkley.

 

"We have worked closely with both families since the pregnancy came to light.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls told Sky News the situation involving the two teenagers was "awful".

 

He said: "It's unusual, it's very rare, but you look at that young lad being a dad when he is so young - and also the teenage girl - and you think it's not right, this looks so terrible. It has got to be sorted out.

"I want those kids to be safe and also the young child as well, and I want us to do everything we can as a society to make sure we keep teenage pregnancies coming down."

 

Today the teenager was keeping a low profile as reporters and cameramen stood outside his family home in Hailsham, near Eastbourne.

 

Friends and relatives left the detached property without making any comment to journalists.

 

 

Earlier, Alfie, who is just 4ft and looks young for his age, said he "thought it would be good to have a baby". He pledged to be a "good dad...and care for it".

 

But he admitted he did not think about how he would afford it.

"I don't really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10," he said.

Alfie, who lives with his mother Nicola, 43, in Eastbourne, was 12 when Maisie was conceived.

 

Alfie's father Dennis said his son wanted to be a devoted and responsible father, but did not fully appreciate what he had taken on by having a child.

 

He said Alfie had wanted to be the first to hold his child.

"He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day," he said.

Chantelle and Maisie have been released from hospital and are living with her family in a council house in Eastbourne.

Reacting to the birth of Maisie Roxanne, Conservative Party leader David Cameron said: "It's really worring that in our country today you have children having children.

"We hope they will be good parents, but parenthood is not what they should have been thinking about".

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, head of the Conservatives' Centre for Social Justice think tank, said: "It exemplifies the point we have been making about broken Britain."

 

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