Logan Gifford was 10 years old when his mother began sexually abusing him. Eventually, authorities charged Doreene Gifford with sexual assault of a minor and incest, and in 2015, a judge sentenced her to eight to 20 years in prison. While Logan — the oldest of four brothers — believed his mother’s incarceration was “halfway vindicating,” the ramifications of her actions are long-reaching and still affect his life today. Nearly a decade after her sentencing, Logan is still wondering if his brother might also be his son.
Logan refuses to suffer in silence.
Logan would like a judge to order a test to establish his brother’s paternity, 8 News Now reports. “I’m speaking out because there are people suffering in silence right now and if I was going to suffer to the extent that you’re aware of, I didn’t want to do it silently anymore,” the 26-year-old said. This is the second time Logan has refused to remain silent. Over a decade ago, at just 16 years old, he came forward accusing his mother of sexual abuse.
Doreene recently tried to contact her son.
Prosecutors found that Doreene had been sexually assaulting her son for several years, with the abuse ending in 2014. Doreene maintained her innocence but took an Alford plea deal. The Alford plea means the defendant pleads “no contest,” does not admit guilt but believes prosecutors have enough evidence to convince a jury to return with a conviction.
In addition to her prison sentence, a judge ordered Doreene to register as a sex offender. The Nevada Parole Board granted her parole in July 2024, but records show she’s behind bars once again after violating a statute of her parole, the Las Vegas Review Journal reports.
Logan said his mother tried to reach him through a third party and attempted to friend one of his brothers on Facebook.
‘He didn’t ask for any of this,’ Logan said of his brother.
After his mother was sentenced, Logan’s younger brother remained with his [Logan’s] father, Doreene’s husband Theodore, until January 2025. Afterward, he began living with Logan. Today, he has temporary custody of the now 15-year-old, who has cognitive difficulties. Children born as a result of incest sometimes suffer a myriad of health issues.
Logan believes his brother could be the result of a 2008 assault. “He deserves to have a quiet and peaceful life,” Logan said of his brother. “He’s here now. He didn’t ask for any of this.” Logan says the results of the DNA test won’t change much. “And if it comes back negative, I’m still filing for custody because it doesn’t change the obligation that I have to him now,” he said.
The abuse goes back generations.
Sadly, Logan has a family history of people who didn’t take their parental obligations seriously. Doreene was raised by abusive parents who were in and out of prison, her attorney claimed. She also spent time in the foster care system. She endured an abusive marriage and an addiction to crystal meth. In addition to his own abuse, Logan had a brush with child protective services after his 3-year-old brother Liam died by drowning in a pool in 2013.
As for his life, Logan has seemingly chosen a different path. He’s married with a stepdaughter. He’s involved in local politics and is raising his brother. Establishing paternity may be difficult considering the siblings would both have Theodore’s DNA, whether Logan is the father or not. Still, Logan believes their family needs to know the truth.
“There’s no going back and undoing anything,” Logan said. “And he deserves to have a quality of life where he’s comfortable, where he can be a kid.” A hearing in the paternity case is set for May 2025.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.
