Logan Gifford: A Las Vegas Man’s Battle After Mother’s Abuse

Logan Gifford, a 26-year-old from Las Vegas, has faced things no one should. At age 10, his mother, Doreene Gifford, began sexually abusing him, a nightmare that lasted seven years. Now, he’s legally the father of his 15-year-old brother, who might also be his biological son. This story is heavy, full of pain, court fights, and a young man’s strength to protect his family. It’s about finding light in the dark and standing up for truth. Logan’s journey shows how one person can break free from a terrible past while building a better future. Let’s walk through his story, piece by piece.

A Childhood Stolen

Logan was born in 1998, the oldest of four boys in a Las Vegas family. From the outside, they seemed like any other family. But inside their home, things were far from normal. Logan grew up around drug use and neglect. Child protective services got called five times, but nothing changed. The house was chaotic, and safety was rare.

When Logan was 10, the abuse started. His mother, Doreene, began touching him in ways a parent never should. It happened at night, often in her bedroom, while his brothers slept. For seven years, Logan lived with this secret, feeling trapped. Around the same time, in 2009, Doreene gave birth to Logan’s youngest brother. That timing would later raise big questions. As a kid, Logan just tried to get through each day, keeping quiet to protect himself and his brothers.

Finding the Courage to Speak

By age 16, Logan couldn’t hold it in anymore. In 2014, he walked into a Las Vegas police station and told them everything. He described the abuse in detail, his voice shaking but clear. The police acted fast, and prosecutors charged Doreene with serious crimes: sexual assault of a minor, incest, and lewd acts with a child under 14.

The court process was tough. Logan had to retell his story in a hearing, facing his mother’s denials. Her lawyer argued she’d have spoken up if it was true, but Logan’s consistent story and the family’s troubled history convinced the judge. In 2015, Doreene took an Alford plea—a deal where she didn’t admit guilt but accepted the evidence was strong. She got 8 to 20 years in prison and had to register as a sex offender.

For Logan, then 17, it felt like a weight lifted, but not fully. “It was half a victory,” he later said. His mother was gone, but the family was breaking apart. Logan knew he had to step up for his brothers.

A Family Torn Apart

The abuse wasn’t the only loss. In 2013, when Logan was 15, his 3-year-old brother Liam drowned in a pool. Liam survived in a coma for months before passing away, leaving the family heartbroken. Logan, still dealing with his own pain, helped his brothers cope.

With Doreene in prison and their father, Theodore Gifford, often absent, Logan became the main support for his siblings. He took care of his youngest brother, who has disabilities and needs extra help with daily tasks and school. Logan juggled jobs and school to keep things together. He moved his brother in with him, giving him a stable home. But a bigger question was growing in Logan’s mind, one that would change everything.

A Shocking Question in Therapy

After the trial, Logan and his family went to therapy to heal. They saw a counselor in Las Vegas who helped them talk about the pain. During one session, when Logan was about 17, the therapist asked something that stopped him cold: “Could your brother be your son?” She pointed to the timeline—abuse starting at 10, the boy born when Logan was 11—and similarities in the boy’s traits.

Logan had wondered this himself but hearing it out loud hit hard. He didn’t know what to do with the idea. He kept it quiet for a while, focusing on raising his brothers. But as his youngest brother grew, needing more care, Logan felt a stronger need to protect him. He loved him like a brother but wondered if he was more.

Fighting for Custody

In July 2024, Doreene got out on parole after nine years. But by January 2025, she broke parole rules by contacting her sons, including Logan. She was briefly jailed again and is now living in Massachusetts as a registered sex offender. Her return scared Logan. He’s married now, with a stepdaughter, and didn’t want his brother near their mother.

Logan went to Clark County Family Court in early 2025, asking for custody and a paternity test. He wanted to know if he was the boy’s father, not just his brother. The court papers laid out the abuse timeline and asked for advanced DNA tests to compare Logan and Theodore. Logan said he’d been the main caregiver, while Theodore was barely around. The judge, Vincent Ochoa, granted temporary guardianship to Logan but said they needed answers.

The DNA Puzzle

The DNA test results came back, but they didn’t clear things up. Both Logan and Theodore matched the boy 99.9%. Experts said this happens because siblings share so much DNA from their parents, making it hard to tell who’s the father. Logan asked for a better test, one that could dig deeper. The court agreed, but even those results weren’t clear.

Judge Ochoa wasn’t surprised. “We expected this could happen,” he said in July 2025. Logan kept caring for his brother—taking him to school, doctors, and therapy. He shielded the boy from the court drama, saying, “No matter what, I’m here for you.” Logan also started sharing his story publicly, talking to news like 8 News Now to help others. “People are hurting quietly,” he said. “They need to speak up.”

A Legal Win with Questions Left

On September 24, 2025, the court made a big call. Theodore stopped showing up to hearings, leaving Logan as the only one fighting for the boy. Judge Ochoa ruled Logan the legal father by default. “If he won’t appear, I can’t name him,” the judge said. Logan got full custody, meaning the boy could stay with him, get benefits, and have a stable home.

Logan felt relief but also sadness. The “is he my son” question still hangs there. More tests might happen later, but for now, Logan’s focused on the win. Doreene joined the final hearing by video, saying nothing. Her lawyer fought the ruling, but it didn’t change.

Life Today: Strength and Stability

Logan’s life now is about family. He’s married, raising his stepdaughter and brother in a busy, loving home. Mornings are for breakfast and school prep; nights are for games and talks. His brother’s disabilities mean extra work—special school plans, therapy, equipment—but Logan sees him growing stronger.

Logan’s faith keeps him grounded. He prays for answers about his brother’s paternity, ready for whatever comes. He’s also a political worker, sober for 10 years, and part of a Freemason group. On TikTok, he shares his story, connecting with others through #MenToo. He wants men who’ve been abused to know they’re not alone.

There are still struggles. Logan keeps an eye on Doreene’s parole and deals with Theodore’s absence. But he’s built a solid life from a broken past.

What This Story Teaches Us

Logan’s life shows gaps in the system. Child services missed warning signs five times. Therapy caught what others didn’t. DNA tests are improving but can’t always solve family mysteries. Men who’ve been abused often face shame and stay silent—Logan’s changing that by speaking out.

Numbers back him up: One in six men face sexual abuse, but many never tell. Logan’s story pushes people to call places like RAINN for help. It also shows how abuse can hurt families for years, like with Liam’s death and the boy’s needs. Logan’s breaking that cycle every day.

Looking Forward: A Call to Act

Logan wants to do more. He’s thinking about training child protective services or pushing for better laws for victims. His GoFundMe, which raised almost $2,000 for legal fees, might grow to help other survivors. “Truth is freedom,” he says. For his brother—son or not—they’re a team.

This story isn’t just Logan’s; it’s a call to be brave and seek truth.

At Phacts, we share stories that matter. If Logan’s journey touched you, spread it far. Subscribe on phactsblog.com for more real, raw stories. Got a story of your own? Reach out—let’s tell it together. Keep seeking truth, keep standing tall.

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