Garvey Ordered to Pay Child Support

A judge in Los Angeles agreed with a Georgia woman that former Padres star Steve Garvey fathered her 2-year-old son and ordered him to pay child support, an attorney said.

Superior Court Judge Kenneth Black ordered Garvey to pay $2,175 a month to support Slade Mendenhall, son of Rebecka Mendenhall of Atlanta, Ga., said Mendenhall’s attorney, Stephen A. Kolodny.

The judge told attorneys Friday to prepare a paternity order for him to sign, Kolodny said Tuesday.

Mendenhall was engaged to the former All-Star first baseman when she became pregnant, but the relationship ended before the child was born Oct. 13, 1989.

Garvey, who has since married another woman, could not be reached for comment after business hours Tuesday at his San Diego firm.

A spokeswoman, Susan Patricola, said Garvey has supported the child financially since he was born and always acknowledged his paternity.

Kolodny contended Garvey gave no child support the first eight months of the child’s life and has paid only an average $253 a month in support.

Both Kolodny and Patricola said Garvey and the child have had no contact.

Garvey said two years ago that he had fathered the children of two women out of wedlock. He also has two teen-age daughters by ex-wife Cyndy Garvey.