BREAKING NEWS: John Edwards Admits He's Father Of Ex-Mistress' Baby; Says "I Am Truly Sorry"
Jan. 21 2010, Published 2:50 p.m. ET
Former North Carolina Senator and failed Presidential candidate John Edwards has finally admitted he is the father of Frances Quinn, a baby girl conceived out-of-wedlock with his former Mistress Rielle Hunter.
Through his trusted advisor Harrison Hickman, Edwards released a statement to NBC's Today Show on Thursday saying:
“I am Quinn’s father. I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves. I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace.
“It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me. I have been providing financial support for Quinn and have reached an agreement with her mother to continue providing support in the future.
“To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry.”
NBC is also reporting that Edwards and his wife Elizabeth have separated, although they are still in regular contact.
The network also reports that Edwards signed a child support agreement around the child’s first birthday, and that he has purchased a home for his ex-mistress and daughter in Charlotte, North Carolina, about two hours from his home.
EXCLUSIVE: Read The Documents That Prove John Edwards Is Father Of Love Child
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Edwards wanted to make his announcement before his former aide Andrew Young appears in an ABC interview and reveals how he pretended to be the baby’s father as a favor to Edwards.
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Young has written a book about the situation and his interview with ABC is scheduled to air next Friday but could be moved forward.
Edwards decided it would be less damaging for him to admit paternity via a statement before Young trumpeted the news during a network TV interview.
Edwards has strenuously – and at times ridiculously – denied paternity of Frances <http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/01/exclusive-john-edwards-admitting-paternity-love-child> Quinn, who is about to turn two years old.
But the National Enquirer, which broke the story of the ex-Senator’s affair, recently published documents showing that Hunter and her lawyer were working on a child support settlement with Edwards in the Spring of 2009.
When Edwards admitted his infidelity during a Nightline interview last year he strenuously denied paternity of the child, said timing made it “impossible” and even dissembled when confronted with an Enquirer photo of himself with his infant daughter. “I don't know who that baby is,” Edwards said.