Former Democratic senator and presidential hopeful John Edwards has admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock. On Thursday, Edwards released a statement retracting his steadfast denials he had fathered a child with former videographer Rielle Hunter. Edwards admitted to the affair in 2008 but has since denied being the father. He released the statement just hours before landing in Haiti to take part in relief efforts.

John Edwards: “Well, I was in Haiti about a year ago and was really touched by both the people here and the plight that they are going through. And when the earthquake hit and I saw these images on television that you and people like you brought back to America, it was just heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking. And so, we started organizing, trying to figure out what we could do to help, and there is a group of us who are here, twenty-five to thirty. We’ve got supplies, medicine, brought doctors with us. So we’re just here to help in whatever way we can.”