Nadya Suleman apparently has bigger worries than taking care of her 14 children. Talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw says she may have to prove she can handle the load, or else have hospital officials withhold her newborn octuplets.
McGraw said the 33-year-old unemployed mother called him Tuesday, distraught that Kaiser Permanente officials told her they were concerned about the babies living at her home in suburban Los Angeles.
“What she is telling me is that unless and until she has a better living arrangement, that they are not likely to release the children to her,” McGraw told the Los Angeles Times.
Suleman has taped two episodes of McGraw’s “Dr. Phil” show. The first was scheduled to air Wednesday.
Suleman gave birth to the octuplets Jan. 26 in Kaiser’s hospital in nearby Bellflower. She has six other children, lives in her mother’s three-bedroom home in Whittier and relies on food stamps and disability income to provide for them. The home is under threat of foreclosure and could be sold at auction beginning May 5 because Suleman’s mother is $23,225 behind in her mortgage payments, property records show.
Kaiser officials declined to comment on Suleman’s case.
“Any conversations that the mother may or may not have had on this topic are private and we could not discuss them,” said Kaiser spokesman Jim Anderson.
Social workers evaluate parents of very premature babies to determine what services the children and family may be entitled to, said Vicky Bermudez, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at the Kaiser hospital in Roseville.
The octuplets were born nine weeks premature.
“If they feel there’s a risk to a baby, they contact Child Protective Services and Child Protective Services would make a determination as to whether or not there’s a reason for concern,” Bermudez said.
A call to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services was not returned Tuesday night.
Suleman has not responded to repeated interview requests from The Associated Press. Her phone has been disconnected and she no longer has a publicist.
This woman should not be able to take care of her children. Children services should come in and give these children a better life. Ms. Suleman just wants the tax payers to take care of her. She needs to get a job just like the rest of us. She is a scammer. the world should not feel one bit sorry for someone who has knowingly done this to themselves
This was not an accident – this mother had to have extensive medical intervention to have all 14 of her children. From what I have understood she lived off her parents, not even informing them of a sizable settlement she recieved and instead used that money to have more children and for cosmetic surgery. This is a sick self-centered women who seens to suffer from lack of impulse control and arrested development. She may \"love\" her children but appears not to be even remotely responsible enough to parent them.
I cannot believe what you people are saying about this brave woman. She is fit to have as many kids as she would like. I would love to be in a relationship with this woman. She is everything a man could ask for, and more. Leave this fine American alone. Call me at 954-294-8200 if you think that I am wrong!!!!!
All this sounds to me like a case of Munchausen syndrome. She had the babies to get attention for herself without any real concern for them or her other children’s safety. All her excuses even show an unstable mind. I don’t think the state needs to think any further about taking the kids. It needs to step in now, before some real harm comes to them. I’m not just talking about the newborns, but all her children.
I agree with \"mike katz\" any man would be lucky to have her. I don\’t care if we have to pay for her kids because we are throwing money away with the stupid bush led war in iraq and all those republicans who #@$@# up the economy. So why not give her the money instead. I would love to meet you nadya, call me at 954-980-2712.
Also, if you would like to help me with my petition for the government to help nadya more call me.
I hate to say it but both Nick and Mike are morons (I apologize to all morons for lumping these two idiots in with you). Brave woman? Any man would be lucky to have her? Have you both lost your minds? Would any “Responsible” woman bring an additional child (let alone 8 children) into a home already filled with special needs and no financial resources? Why not “give” her the money? Nick, a true liberal. It’s time we start taking personal responsibility for our actions. Nick and Mike’s new phone number 1-800-IMANIDIOT
Nadya is insane, the kids (ALL of them) must be taken away from the psycho – a.s.a.p. HER PARENTS MUST kick HER out the house so that she takes care of herself. My twins were premies, and IT WAS A LOT OF WORK for the entire family of seven adults to rase them healthy and fine. Mike Katz and other supporters – she is available, go claim the trophy woman….
If that’s what guys are looking for in a women… then damn… I’ve been going about it all wrong!
seriously, I live with food stamps and a low income (but hell… at least it’s a job) and I would never DREAM of bringing even 1 child into this world unless I was positive I could support them without charity. Perhaps I just have too much pride, but I hold fast to my belief that if you can’t support the family you already have… do not make it bigger.
Think of all the children in this world who are up for adoption, because either they’re orphans or their parent’s couldn’t support them. Instead of spending money on surgery and IVF, ADOPT! There’s already too many kids who are suffering from the lack of a parent’s love… why not give it to them.
AND she’s idolizing Angelina Jolie in the wrong way… Jolie at least adopted some of her kids. She’s trying to help kids who don’t have the resources (like parents and a home) available to them, not bring 8 more into the world. Not to mention Jolie has the means (and job) to support them.
As for Munchausen syndrome by proxy… it does seem she’s suffering from this… although it’s usually manifested in abuse (or almost killing) of a child for attention. I’ll give Nadya that she hasn’t tried suffocating them… but she’s definitely exploiting them for her own gain.
There… my rant’s done. Now back to my Ethical Dilemma paper I’m writing on… guess who… Nadya.
Nadya is some what crazy… I have two children of my own and had to go get a job to keep from going insaine. I would like to have another but with the medical bills for just one…I can’t imagine what it’s like for her children. I don’t think that we should support her but think of those babies, what about them and I also don’t think it’s right for child welfare to come and split them up either. I would help if I could. Also, to Mike and Nick if you are willing to help with the 14 children you are brave men as well; however I don’t think you know what your getting yourselves into. Good luck Nadya I do hope it all works out for the BEST!
I have to stand by what I’ve written previously–Octolips is a master and here she EVEN CONNED “DR” PHIL! All she did was just agree with everything “DR” said: “Yah, yes, unhuh, sure”, leading “DR” to boast how he succeeded in getting Noselipjob to admit she was wrong.
And as for the “DR” plea how not helping Naydia paying for her salon nail treatments only harms the innocent kids: DON’T GIVE HER _ANYTHING_ other than to tell her ADOPTION ADOPTION ADOPTION. DON’T FALL for the ruse that the only option is to give Angelinawhomea her mansion etc. to keep the kids from suffering!
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT GIVES HER THE RIGHT TO HAVE ALL THESE BABIES AND LIVE ON WELFARE SHE KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING WHY IS OUR TAX MONEY HELPING HER SUPPORT HER IGNORANCE.WHAT ABOUT THAT DOCTOR WHO DID THIS HE NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED FOR THIS HE NEEDS TO LOOSE HIS BUSINESS AND NEEDS TO BE LOCKED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
NADYA IF U CAN SEE THIS GIVE THOSE KIDS UP TO A DESCENT HOME AND GET SOME HELP CAUSE GIRL YOU REALLY NEED IT HOW DO U THINK THOSE KIDS ARE GONNA FEEL WHEN THEY GET OLDER THEY SURE AINT GONNA LOVE U THATS FORSURE AINT NONNE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND HAS THAT MANY KIDS GET A LIFE GIRL TRUST ME PUBLICITY ISNT WORTH THIS AND YES WE ALL KNOW THAT U HAD YOURE LIPS DONE AND STUFF YOU LOOK LIKE A DEATH WARMED OVER ANGELINA YOU WILL NEVER BE HER
YOU KNOW DR PHIL WE NEVER THOUGHT U COULD BE CONNED BUT LOOK AT YOU IM ASHAMED TO ADMIT I WATCH YOUR SHOW NOW SINCE YOU WAS CONNED BY HER YOU DONT HAVE THE RIGHT TO TALK SMACK ABOUT ANYONE ELSE OR GIVE ANY ADVICE TO ANYONE AND TO THINK I LOOKED UP TO YOU IM A FOOL:-J
i think they should take those kids away from her and put her in a mental hospital for the rest of her life
I’ve been thinking about the controversy currently in the forefront of the media regarding the octuplets, their family, their finances, their beginnings and their futures. Clearly, everyone has strong feelings. Almost equally as clear is that expressing these opinions and feelings, regardless how passionately, does very little to find positive possible solutions. In addition, the focus of most of the opinions is the actions of Ms. Suleman and of the fertility clinic, instead of on the best interest of the children and the impossible situation in which the grandparents unwillingly find themselves.
Actually, the plight of the family is not just 1 situation. Therefore, solutions should be generated to address as many components as possible.
I hope that the following ideas will be treated exactly as that…ideas…and that they serve to generate even more possible solution-orientated ideas rather than a host of reasons as to why they might be implausible.
This POSSIBLE scenario could create a win-win-win situation for the family, the taxpayers of California and most importantly, the children.
Perhaps Ms. Suleman could consider adoption. Although painful, it has been a solution for parents unable to financially provide for unexpected offspring for generations. There are many, many families available who would and could offer their homes and affection to give 1 or 2 of the children all they are entitled to receive.
An adoption lawyer could use the situation to gain notoriety and increase business prospects by agreeing to provide pro bono services. Then, the money usually paid for attorney and legal fees in the adoption process could be used instead to offset the mounting medical expenses.
For Ms. Suleman, part of the legal agreement could be that the adoptions be open and that she retain the right to have contact with the babies as they grow. In addition, she could continue to enjoy the position of the first biological mother of surviving octuplets. Another possible part of a legal agreement could be that the children be reunited at least yearly for a celebration of their unique status as the world’s first surviving octuplets. A media giant could offer to document their growth and development and amazing story. Any profits from this documentation could be deposited into a fund set up and managed by an outside financial corporation with the funds being used solely for the upbringing of the octuplets’ siblings.
I propose that Kaiser Permanente NOT be allowed to pass the cost of the hospital fees along to the state of California. Perhaps CA citizens could petition their local representatives to pressure the state to insist that Kaiser meet its financial obligation to their patients. This will save the taxpayers money.
In addition, the fertility clinic that made the original choice could be held to the same responsibility as the tobacco companies. When the public became aware of the high cost of smoking to consumers, insurance companies and public medical assistance, they were required to provide funds for public awareness and education, and for anti-smoking campaigns. Perhaps fertility clinics choosing to implant in a manner that could result in such high-risk situations could be held to the same standards.
Other possible considerations:
Ms Suleman agrees to have no more children or she will forfeit all rights
All fertility clinics agree not to assist her at any time in the future
Instead of cash, the public and private businesses could make donations of items
The public could offer to help with transportation arrangements to church and medical appointments to give the grandparents much needed assistance
Businesses could offer Ms. Suleman a job to facilitate her independence
Disablilty Insurance could carefully reevaluate her disability claim to see if her condition has changed in light of her ability to successfully carry and deliver 8 babies. This would potentially save the taxpayers additional money.
This could be a shining moment in US history. When we remember the African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” we can come together to celebrate the miracle of this incredible birth while simultaneously looking for solutions that keep the best interest of the children at the center. We do not have to look backwards, placing blame on any individual or organization. Instead, we can insist that each share the responsibility for the creation and now upbringing and future of these precious children. I know there are many potential adoptive parents who are ready and willing to step forward to provide a loving home while simultaneously supporting the children’s unique status as part of a biological miracle and the children of our great “village,” The USA.
“Keep the focus; help the children.”