Iowa State woman files paternity suit against Trailblazers’ star center Cato
February 19, 1998
AMES (AP) — A woman has filed a paternity lawsuit against Portland Trail Blazers center Kelvin Cato, claiming the former Iowa State player fathered her 13-month-old son.
Miisha-Crystal F. Donaldson, 20, of Chicago seeks child support for Xavier Donaldson, as well as pregnancy costs, in the lawsuit filed last week in the Story County District Court.
Cato, 23, was the 15th pick in the NBA draft last June and signed a $2.9 million contract with the Trail Blazers.
He recently was selected to play in the NBA’s rookie all-star game.
Laboratory Corp. of Burlington, N.C., said in court papers there is a 99.9 percent probability that Cato is the father of the boy. The company tested Cato, Donaldson and Xavier in mid-January and filed the results with the court.
The Iowa Department of Human Services has the legal power to establish paternity without a court order.
It has asked Cato to submit information on his financial background to determine how much he could pay.
A message left with the team in Portland, Ore., for Cato was not immediately returned Wednesday.
Donaldson, a freshman at ISU, also could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
Cato played for ISU from 1995 to 1997 and blocked a school-record 189 shots in his 55 games.