Even if I assumed that Minnesota still had jurisdiction, I don't see a basis for a putative father to try to seek custody unless he qualifies for a presumption of paternity, which does not appear to be possible in the case under discussion (although it's possible that there are other statutes that could come into play). See Minnesota Statutes Sec. 257.55, 257.57. Also, even if we assume that a paternity action is possible, it's anything but a given that the court is going to find that disestablishing paternity and substituting in a father the children has never met, who has never contacted the children, and who has never provided any amount of support, is going to be in the best interest of the children. Before jumping into anything in Minnesota, I would concur that the putative father should speak to a lawyer. Wisconsin's law seems considerably more amenable, allowing a paternity action by "A male alleged or alleging himself to be the father of the child".

