Originally published 14 August 2012;
But, shockingly, dad Ervin is still a 16-year-old schoolboy – 27 years younger than Renata, 43 – and when the pair first started having sex, he was just 13.
When their affair was outed, Renata was convicted for having sex with a minor as 14 is the legal age of consent in Austria, where they live. But they stayed together, and on 30 June, she gave birth to their child.
She says: “I couldn’t hold back, we just felt right. Ervin assured me he was ready to be a dad and he is. We’re great parents.”
Dad Ervin is still a 16-year-old schoolboy – 27 years younger than Renata, 43 – and when the pair first started having sex, he was just 13.
Renata – who split from her husband Milivoj, 45, in 2007 and has two daughters, Carla, 21, and Emily, 16 – first met Ervin in September 2009 when she was his handball team coach.
She recalls: “He was so tall and muscly, he didn’t seem young. At first, we just talked about handball but, one night, I dropped him home after practice and we chatted about everything.
“He was mature and intelligent – not like other boys his age. There was something there and I sensed he felt the same. It was scary, I knew I shouldn’t feel that way – he was my daughter’s age.”
Renata struggled to suppress her feelings for five months, but couldn’t contain them. She says: “The handball team had a party and afterwards I drove him home. We were talking, then he stopped and kissed me. I was shocked – but I didn’t pull away. Then he just got out of the car – we both felt embarrassed.”
The next day at handball, they avoided each other. But a couple of days later, they kissed again and confessed their feelings. Knowing it was more than a fling, Renata decided they should come clean to Ervin’s parents and her daughters.
She says: “My girls were surprised but, when I told them how strongly we felt for each other, they were more accepting.”
Astonishingly, Ervin’s mum accepted the situation, too, but his stepdad was horrified and refused to speak to him. Yet Ervin and Renata carried on seeing each other and, three months later, they slept together.
Renata says: “It was Ervin’s first time and it was amazing – he’s the best lover I’ve ever had. It didn’t feel wrong – but it was confusing. I knew I’d crossed a line – but I didn’t see him as a boy. I loved him.”
However, when Ervin’s dad confronted him about Renata and found out the relationship had become sexual, he reported the couple to the police and, eight months later in October 2010, Renata appeared in court charged with sexually abusing a minor.
Ervin was forced to give evidence in court, but said the sex had been consensual.
Ervin was forced to give evidence in court, but said the sex had been consensual. Renata says: “It was humiliating, but we grew even closer. We never stopped seeing each other, Ervin was 14 by then so we were legal.”
Renata was given a 22-month suspended sentence and lost her coaching job. But rather than the very public exposure ending their relationship, Ervin – who hasn’t spoken to his stepdad since he reported Renata – moved in with her in April 2011.
Shockingly, the pair decided to try for a baby and had Noemi in June. Renata says: “There was no reason to wait. Ervin was with me at the birth and cried with joy when he held our baby.”
Back at home, Renata – who sells sports equipment online to support the family – says Ervin has been a brilliant dad, despite juggling fatherhood with school.
She says: “He changes nappies and we take it in turns to get up in the night. He’s getting good grades too and plans to be an architect – he’s fitting it all in.”
The pair are even planning to marry this year. Renata adds: “When people talk behind our backs, we don’t care. We’re happier than most – age doesn’t matter. We have a special bond.”
Ervin adds: “I wasn’t expecting to find an older woman so attractive, but I did. I love being a dad and couldn’t be happier.”