We had baby at 14 & I prayed Tia wouldn't make same mistake
 Britain's youngest grandparents break silence


Young family... parents Kelly and Shem with Tia and Jordan
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by Carole Aye Maung and James Weatherup
Februar 27, 2011

THE couple set to be Britain's youngest grandparents last night came out fighting - desperate to hit back at gossips attacking their pregnant 14-year-old daughter.

Shem Davies and onetime girlfriend Kelly John, both 29, admit it was a shock to find schoolgirl Tia was having a baby at the same age they were when they were expecting her.


Back then... Shem, 14 and tiny Tia
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But today, as we reveal their identities for the first time, Shem and Kelly reject the tide of abuse that greeted news of family history repeating itself. And they tell how they plan to help Tia and her boyfriend Jordan Williams, just 15, whose baby is due in August.

Wiping away tears, Kelly told us: "My worst nightmare has always been that Tia would repeat my mistake and get pregnant young.

"I was always telling her, 'Don't do what I did because you need to live your life.' So when I found she was in exactly the same situation I was really shocked.

"I felt the colour drain from my face and all I could do was cry. It's like it's happening to me all over again - the agony I went through as a schoolgirl mum."

Tia and boyfriend Jordan both go to Ynysawdre school near Bridgend, South Wales - the same school Kelly attended while she was pregnant.

Kelly - who lives with Tia, three other children from a broken marriage and boyfriend Carl Zaccardelli - was six months pregnant by the time her mother Ceri discovered she and Shem were having underage sex.

"I was too scared to say anything and sort of hoped it would all go away," she said. "But when I was six months gone Mum could tell. It was a huge shock to her."

Grandparents at 29

And seven weeks ago, in an eerie replay, Kelly learned the truth about Tia's pregnancy.

While the youngster was still steeling herself to break the news, Mum stumbled on the positive baby-test results in her daughter's bedroom.

Suddenly Kelly was reliving all the heartache. She knew only too well the problems facing a young single mum - for barely three months after Tia was born, the pressure of being a dad proved too much for 14-year-old Shem and he ditched her. Kelly was devastated. Her eyes still well at the memory. And sat next to her on the sofa, sandy-haired Shem is clearly uncomfortable. He lives just six doors away with his 21-year-old partner and their 12-week-old son. Shifting awkwardly in his seat, Shem told us: "I thought Kelly and I would stay together forever and bring up Tia. But I was dreaming as you do at that age. I just didn't know how to be a dad. I was still a kid myself.

"I was far too young for that kind of responsibility. It was too hard."


Teen love... Jordan and Tia
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Kelly said: "I was left holding the baby. At just 15 I felt all washed up and alone. I was very hurt and it was so difficult struggling to cope. I was determined Tia was never ever going to experience anything like that.

"I always lectured her about the importance of contraception. When she started dating Jordan, her first boyfriend, I took her to the doctor to discuss contraceptive injections. But Tia didn't want them - she was worried they'd make her put on weight.

"When I confronted her with the pregnancy tests I needed to know if she'd deliberately set out to be like me. But she told me she hadn't and I believe her.

"I asked what she wanted to do about the baby and to begin with she was very confused. One minute she wanted to keep it, then she didn't, then she did.

"I was careful to explain both sides - how her life would be if she kept the baby and if she didn't. I stressed to her how hard it was for me, and how it completely changed my life. I told her she really needed to get a job first, then a house, then a family - in that order."

Shem was equally shocked by the news. "I'd no idea Tia was having sex," he said. "But then I think back to how I was at that age. I could have yelled at Tia or given Jordan a rollicking, but what's the point? Instead I simply told Tia the truth - how, at 14, I was just too young to have a baby, and how it might turn out too much for Jordan too."

Incredibly, when Tia's baby is born, there will be SIX generations of the family alive including a great-great-great- grandma of 92 and a one-year-old uncle.

Despite their own troubled past, £92-a-week café worker Kelly and jobless Shem are determined to support the youngsters. "While I've always regretted not using contraceptives, I've never regretted having Tia," insisted Kelly.

"And it's very important she returns to school to finish her GCSEs. So me and my mum will help with the baby.

"I'm very proud of Tia, but very embarrassed about the way people are judging us. I see the nudges and the looks that say, 'Like mother, like daughter.'

"I never wanted Tia to be known as the girl who got pregnant at 14. But she's my world and I want her to be happy."

We'll be top mum and dad



Repeating history... Tia & Jordan get 1st baby scan
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The two schoolkids at the centre of the underage pregnancy storm yesterday vowed to beat the odds, stay together and become good parents.

Just days after having her 12-week scan, 14-year-old Tia John insisted she and boyfriend Jordan Williams, 15, will return to the classroom after she gives birth.

Determined to tell the world they are not reckless thrill-seekers, she confessed: "I always wanted a baby - but not this young. We both know we're too young. And I regret not always using contraception.

"But now it's happened I want to keep the baby - and Jordan and I are going to give it all our love and everything we can. I'm going to prove to everyone that I can do it and bring my baby up properly."

Jordan, who is just 4ft 11ins and looks far younger than 15, nodded and agreed: "I didn't think I'd start a family until I was 21. But we're so happy now.

"We used condoms most of the time and never thought Tia would get pregnant. But a baby is a blessing, no matter what age you are.

"And it's even more reason to work hard at school. I've applied to join the Marines as a fitness instructor and need at least C grades in Maths, English and Science. I'm training and studying hard so I get in. It's my dream. I want to provide for Tia and our baby."

Tia - who lists her likes as Cheryl Cole, Peter Andre and McDonald's - recalled the tricky moment mum Kelly confronted her about being pregnant.

"It was all very emotional," she said. "I ran upstairs crying and Jordan broke down in tears.

"He was so worried what his mum would say he had to tell her by text.

"I thought about a termination but knew I'd regret it."

NO money has been paid directly to any member of the family. Instead we are setting up an independently-monitored trust fund for Tia's future.