Jason Kilburn discovered that his toddler daughter’s birth certificate inaccurately named her “Unakite Thirteen Hotel,” and she lacked a social security number. After learning he might be her father, Kilburn gained custody and began a frustrating battle with government agencies to obtain identification documents. The error arose from bureaucratic confusion when the baby’s mother, struggling with issues, left her at a hospital without proper documentation. Kilburn is unable to secure health insurance and other services for his daughter due to the paperwork problems. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic and cherishes his time with her.
When Jason Kilburn sought out his toddler daughter’s birth certificate, he was taken aback to discover that, due to a mistake, she was legally named “Unakite Thirteen Hotel.” As if that wasn’t enough, she also lacked a social security number.
What began as a series of unfortunate events and bureaucratic misunderstandings has turned into a protracted struggle for Mr. Kilburn. Over the course of several months, he has been in constant communication with various government agencies to secure a straightforward identification document for his daughter, whom he affectionately calls Caroline.
Mr. Kilburn, 49, hailing from Valley, Neb., discovered more than two years ago that a woman he had previously dated had given birth to a daughter who might be his. This baby was born at a residence in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on November 5, 2022. The mother, facing challenges of homelessness and drug addiction, was unable to care for her newborn and did not accompany her when a friend arranged for the newborn to be taken to a local hospital, according to court records.
The hospital assigned her a temporary, absurd name that seemed generated by a computer, as noted by Mr. Kilburn’s attorney, Joshua Livingston. That name was Unakite Thirteen Hotel.
She remained in state custody until Mr. Kilburn was confirmed as her biological father and granted custody. He then embarked on a long and arduous journey that remains unresolved.
“This has been a long, difficult process,” Mr. Kilburn explained in a text message shared by his lawyer on Tuesday. “I am committed to working hard to secure the necessary documents for my daughter.”
The naming error is just one piece of the puzzle that Mr. Kilburn is attempting to rectify. She was also never given a social security number, and he is unable to utilize her birth certificate as it was marked “for government use only,” according to court documents.
As a result, Mr. Kilburn is facing difficulties securing health insurance, childcare, and other essential services for his daughter. It feels as if Caroline — a cheerful toddler with fine blond hair — does not exist in official records.
The reasons behind her never receiving a proper birth certificate or social security number remain unclear, Mr. Livingston stated, and officials have yet to determine which agency was responsible for the error that caused this situation.
While the peculiar name has garnered media attention, it’s not unusual for children born without a parent or guardian to be given nonsensical placeholder names. These names are generally changed quickly once custody is established by a parent or guardian.
However, in this instance, Mr. Kilburn was unable to change the name since he lacked a usable birth certificate or a social security number for Caroline — a rare mistake attributed by Mr. Livingston to “bureaucratic chaos.”
A representative from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services stated in an email that while they could not disclose specifics regarding the case, the agency is collaborating with Mr. Kilburn’s attorney to resolve the matter. A spokesperson for the Social Security Administration also refrained from offering details but mentioned that they had reached out to Mr. Kilburn.
Mr. Kilburn expressed optimism, in a text message through his lawyer, that the issue would be sorted out, noting that the media attention has enhanced his interaction with the various government departments.
Despite the hurdles Caroline has faced in her early years and the complications caused by bureaucratic errors, her father described her as a lively and spirited toddler who can sing the “e-i-e-i-o” part of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” with great enthusiasm.
“What they say about the terrible twos is absolutely true,” Mr. Kilburn remarked. “But I wouldn’t change a single day I spend with her.”
Sheelagh McNeill contributed research.