What is wrong with people?!?!?!

[kdibattista]

Couple Fakes Expecting Sextuplets

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (AP) - April 12, 2006 -

The library books on multiple births crowded the couple's coffee table. The bedroom-turned-nursery awaited the arrival of six newborns.

But in the end, authorities say Sarah and Kris Everson never had the sextuplets as claimed. All they had was what appears to be a big lie.
The couple's dramatic story had holes in it from the start - from their mysterious withholding of information for more than a month to the unanimous response of area hospitals that they hadn't helped deliver the newborns.

On Tuesday, authorities said the mystery had been solved - the entire tale was deemed a hoax aimed at tapping the generosity of others to pay the couple's mounting bills.

"I have never dealt with anything like this," said Police Chief Aaron Ambrose. "The level of fraud like this involving people, I have not."

Gary Bradley, the city administrator, said charges against the Eversons were forthcoming. Prosecutors had not yet determined how much the couple profited from the scam or whether they would qualify for charges beyond the municipal level.

The Eversons - Sarah, 45, and Kris, 33 - claimed to have given birth to four boys and two girls on March 8. The babies were apparently in intensive care.

The tale exploded in the local spotlight Monday when The Examiner in Independence ran on its front page a photograph of the couple holding six one-piece baby outfits and announcing the births.

Those who heard the Eversons' sad story of tight finances set up a Web site to solicit contributions - including a van, washer and dryer, cash and gift certificates. A real estate agent was even working to find the family new housing.

Sarah Everson showed an Associated Press reporter pictures of her in maternity clothes, her baring a huge pregnant-looking midsection, even sonogram images she claimed were of her infants. She showed off a tiny nursery, a closet full of baby clothes and the tiny diapers premature newborns must wear.

She said the entire story of her children's births was being kept secret by a court order enacted because a member of her husband's family was trying to kill the Eversons and their new sextuplets.

"I'm so afraid they're not going to make it," she sobbed. "Nobody understands how hard this is. I know that they're here. I know what I had to go through to get them here."

Sarah Everson said a detective begin questioning her Tuesday evening; Bradley and Ambrose said the Eversons were interviewed at the police station for about an hour, during which they revealed the story was a scam. They were released pending charges.

Reached by phone late Tuesday, Sarah Everson offered no explanation for the hoax. "I'm not talking to anybody right now," she said, "because nobody gets it."

The Web site soliciting gifts was taken down Tuesday night.

(Copyright 2006 by the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

[mickeyboat]

That is unfreakingbelievable.

Denae

 

[Chicago526]

Reached by phone late Tuesday, Sarah Everson offered no explanation for the hoax. "I'm not talking to anybody right now," she said, "because nobody gets it."

Ummm...you got that right, lady!

 

[4greatboys]

I am continually amazed at the amount of people out to get something for nothing. Im glad they are filing charges against them.

 

[phantom728]

People like this make me sick to my stomach

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

 

[va32h]

I'm not condoning this hoax at all, but it brings up a lot of other issues.

Why didn't the newspaper perform a modicum of fact checking before printing the story? Why are people so gullible that they believe anything they read on the web? And most importantly:

Why do people feel compelled to donate to a couple who chooses to have a boatload of children that they apparently can't afford? Even if this story were true, I'd be just as annoyed.

 

[kimmikayb]

I want to know how people like that sleep at night

 

[Duchie]

How about these fine parenting examples?

 

[Patty3]

The lengths some people will go to to get something for nothing is incredible.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

What is with people nowadays?

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

People who do things like that are absolutely pathetic.

How about these fine parenting examples?

I heard about that on the radio yesterday. What I don't get is the son KNEW about it and didn't care! How could you possibly go along with that?

 

[DVC Sadie]

Unfortunately they probably don't see their behavior as wrong. Hopefully there will be consequences for their actions.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Besides the standard criminal fraud charges they are bound to face, I sure hope the IRS does a nice, deep review of their income - declaired and otherwise!