Forrest, who’s from Auckland, New Zealand, said he was completely unaware of the hospital practices in Armenia when it came to children.

“What happens when a baby like this is born here, they will tell you that you don’t have to keep them,” he said. “My wife had already decided, so all of this was done behind my back.”

Despite his wife’s warnings, Forrest said he never had a doubt in his mind that he would hold onto his son.

One week after his birth, Leo’s mom filed for divorce.