TOPEKA, Kan. (January 2, 2013)--A Kansas man who answered an online ad and donated donate sperm to a lesbian couple is now fighting the state's efforts to force him to pay child support for a girl who was subsequently conceived through artificial insemination.

Department of Children and Families spokeswoman Angela de Rocha said Wednesday the agency would not be pursuing payment if the state hadn't provided more than $6,000 in benefits for the child after the Topeka couple split up.

She said the state tries to establish a child's paternity when benefits are involved.

Court records show that the sperm donor, William Marotta, 46, signed an agreement in March 2009 giving up parental rights to the couple, Angela Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner.

The agreement also absolved Marotta of financial responsibility, but the state contends the agreement isn't valid.