Agency expands fatherhood engagement efforts

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Any parent will say nothing can truly prepare one for parenthood, an axiom that was true for East Hartford resident Steven Castano.

In November, while living in North Carolina, Castano learned he had a 2-year-old daughter in Connecticut. At the same time, Castano learned the child's mother was incarcerated and the child was in the care of her maternal grandmother.

After contacting Connecticut's Department of Children and Families, Castano, 30, took a DNA test at a nearby clinic that confirmed he was the biological father of 2-year-old Kryzmarie.