The Birth of Baby Cash Sparked a Viral Controversy—And a Family’s Loyalty Was Put to the Test
The arrival of a baby is typically a joyful moment—a fresh chapter, filled with the hope and wonder that new life brings. For many, meeting their child for the first time after months of anticipation is nothing short of magical. Newborns often surprise us with unexpected traits—perhaps a head full of hair, a quirky birthmark, or dimples that mirror a distant relative. But sometimes, the surprises run deeper.
That was the case for one Tennessee family whose story has since exploded across social media, drawing both support and scrutiny from thousands around the world. What should have been a private, intimate time for bonding quickly became a public spectacle fueled by curiosity, criticism, and controversy.
Rachel, a cashier at Celina 52 Truck Stop, gave birth to her baby boy, Cash Jamal Buckman, on February 17, 2024. It was a Saturday evening, and her co-workers, proud of their friend, announced the news in a heartfelt Facebook post. In the accompanying photo, Rachel and her fiancé, Paul Buckman, smiled beside their newborn. The caption read:
"Congratulations to our cashier Rachel and her fiancé Paul Buckman on their baby Cash Jamal Buckman being born on Saturday at 6:18 PM!"
At first glance, it seemed like a wholesome post—a community celebrating one of its own. But the internet, with all its voyeurism and cynicism, quickly took notice of something else: Baby Cash, who appeared to be Black, while both Rachel and Paul are visibly white.
The post quickly went viral—not for its warmth, but for the barrage of comments questioning Cash’s paternity and the authenticity of Rachel and Paul’s story. Speculation snowballed into mockery. People demanded explanations, suggested hospital mix-ups, and even accused Rachel of infidelity.
To defend their employee, the truck stop’s management edited the post, writing:
"Yes, Paul is the father. Rachel has African American DNA in her which can skip generations and cause a child to be born with darker skin. Cash may also have jaundice, which is common in newborns. Please be kind."
But their plea for compassion fell largely on deaf ears. The more they tried to justify the situation, the more relentless the internet became.
Some commenters were cruel.
“Congratulations! I’m sure he looks just like his dad. Where is he?” one person mocked.
Another wrote: “Needs a DNA test — what if they accidentally mixed up babies at the hospital?”
Some expressed sympathy—not for Rachel, but for Paul.
“I feel sorry for this guy,” one user wrote. “He’s clearly being duped.”
Rachel, now backed into a corner, decided to speak for herself. She shared screenshots of her Ancestry DNA results, showing a trace percentage of African heritage.
“For the haters saying that I don’t have Black DNA, maybe this will clear it up. Straight from my ancestry DNA results!!! NOW STOP slandering me and my fiancé Paul Buckman’s name. He IS the father of lil Cash.”
But instead of quelling the fire, her post only added fuel. Commenters poked holes in the logic.
“That’s the strongest 1% I’ve ever seen. This looks like a job for Maury,” someone wrote.
Another user with a similar DNA makeup commented: “I have that too… and my babies still look like boiled potatoes.”
The story snowballed into a full-blown internet phenomenon. TikTokers made reaction videos. Memes circulated. Strangers debated genetics, ancestry, and relationships in the comments.
As pressure mounted, the Celina 52 Truck Stop made a dramatic announcement: their employees, including Rachel, had agreed to undergo polygraph and DNA testing. The workplace, now the unlikely epicenter of a national viral event, promised transparency.
And then came the bombshell.
On March 24, 2024, the truck stop posted a follow-up titled:
“FINAL STATEMENT REGARDING CASH JAMAL BUCKMAN PATERNITY”
It revealed that results from a DNA test conducted on the Steve Wilkos show confirmed the truth many suspected: Paul Buckman was not Cash’s biological father.
Rachel, however, did not back down. She insisted that she had not been unfaithful during her relationship with Paul. According to her, Cash was conceived in 2021 during a brief rekindling with an ex-boyfriend—but she claims that his DNA lay “dormant” until she contracted COVID in 2023, which she believes somehow “activated the dormant DNA” and resulted in her pregnancy.
The explanation was met with widespread disbelief. Medical experts and internet users alike questioned the scientific plausibility of her claim. But perhaps the most surprising turn was Paul’s reaction.
Despite everything, Paul chose to stay.
He publicly stated that he loved both Rachel and Cash, and that biology didn’t determine fatherhood. To him, Cash was his son—regardless of the results. In fact, Paul believed the entire ordeal had only brought them closer.
Shortly after the announcement, Rachel resigned from her job at the truck stop on February 27, receiving a $100 severance payment.
Celina 52 Truck Stop closed their viral saga with a statement that echoed the sentiment many felt:
“As Maury Povich would say, ‘Paul, you are NOT the father… but you ARE the dad.’”