James Brown’s partner selects guardian for son

Appointment first step toward determining child's paternity

Mary Ann Chastain / AP

Tomi Rae Hynie, partner to the late James Brown, has selected a special guardian she wants appointed for her son, the first step toward determining the child's paternity. A DNA test proving the paternity of Hynie's son, James Brown II, cannot be done without appointing a special guardian.

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updated 10:43 a.m. ET April 4, 2007

AIKEN, S.C. - The woman who claims to be James Brown's fourth wife has selected a special guardian she wants appointed for her son, the first step toward determining the child's paternity.

A DNA test proving the paternity of Tomi Rae Hynie's son, James Brown II, cannot be done without appointing a special guardian, her attorney, Robert Rosen, said Tuesday.

Brown's trustees have already presented a list of attorneys to serve as the special guardian. Hynie's petition asks that Charleston attorney Stephen M. Slotchiver be appointed.

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A message left for Slotchiver wasn't returned Tuesday. A court hearing to appoint the special guardian has been scheduled for later this month, Rosen said.

Last month, Brown's trustees filed a motion asking a judge to order DNA taken from Hynie's son. "Her public position has always been that she has no objection to a DNA test," Rosen said.

Hynie, who was a backup singer for Brown, and the young son were not included in the singer's will. Brown died Dec. 25 in an Atlanta hospital and his body was placed in a crypt at the home of one of his daughters last month.