The birth of a child is often one of the most joyous and anticipated moments in a family’s life. However, for Rachel and Paul Buckman, a couple from Tennessee, what should have been a happy occasion quickly turned into a viral sensation filled with speculation and controversy. On February 17, 2024, Rachel, a cashier at the Celina 52 Truck Stop in Tennessee, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Cash Jamal Buckman. Rachel and her fiancé Paul are both white, but their son’s noticeably darker skin immediately drew attention and sparked a wave of online speculation.
Many people questioned Paul’s paternity, with some accusing Rachel of infidelity or suggesting the baby might have been switched at birth. These comments quickly flooded the post announcing the birth on the truck stop’s Facebook page, overshadowing the family’s joy. In an effort to address the rumors, the Celina 52 Truck Stop edited their announcement to explain that Rachel has African American ancestry that can skip generations, which might explain their son’s skin color. They also mentioned that newborn jaundice—a common condition that can temporarily affect a baby’s skin tone—could be a factor. The post ended with a plea for kindness amid the speculation.
Despite these efforts, skepticism persisted. Rachel took matters into her own hands by publicly sharing her DNA test results on social media to confirm her African American heritage and assert Paul’s paternity. Yet, even with this evidence, many social media users continued to joke and question the situation, with some calling for DNA tests and others making light of the family’s struggles. As the story gained traction, the Celina 52 Truck Stop announced that they would conduct polygraph and DNA tests on their employees to bring clarity to the situation. This only fueled the curiosity and conversation around the family’s story.
Finally, on March 24, the truck stop posted what they called their “FINAL STATEMENT REGARDING CASH JAMAL BUCKMAN PATERNITY.” The DNA results confirmed that Paul Buckman is not the biological father of Cash. Rachel explained that Cash was conceived with an ex-boyfriend in 2021 and shared an unusual theory that contracting Covid-19 in 2023 may have reactivated dormant DNA, resulting in her pregnancy.
Despite the shock and public scrutiny, Paul chose to remain committed to Rachel and to raise Cash as his own son, demonstrating his love and support beyond biology. Shortly after the announcement, Rachel resigned from her position at the truck stop, receiving a severance payment.
The truck stop’s statement ended with a reference to the popular television personality Maury Povich: “Paul, you are NOT the father, but you ARE the dad.” This sentiment underscores that family bonds go beyond genetics, highlighting Paul’s dedication to the child and the family they continue to build together.