Octuplets' Mother Has Six Older Children Already (VIDEO)

The mother in California who gave birth to eight babies on Monday has six children already, CBS news discovered. Today on the Early Show, a segment on the now-doubled family aired. They took cameras to the home and neighborhood where the mom lives in a house with her parents, four older sons and two older daughters. Below the video is the transcript.

WATCH:

RUSS MITCHELL, anchor:

An update now on those octuplets born Monday in Los Angeles. They're doing

well, but when they go home in a couple of months, it will be to a really full

house. EARLY SHOW national correspondent Hattie Kauffman explains.

Story continues below

HATTIE KAUFFMAN reporting:

CBS News has learned the mother who gave birth to octuplets has six other

children.

Unidentified Man: She lives over there. She's got six kids already.

KAUFFMAN: An acquaintance who didn't want to be identified says the mom has

four older boys and two girls.

Unidentified Woman: She is young, fairly young and she has six children

already.

KAUFFMAN: She already has six children.

Woman: Yes.

KAUFFMAN: So that makes six plus eight is 14.

Woman: Correct. Yes. And in those six children she has a set of twins.

KAUFFMAN: While the hospital has not confirmed that the mom used fertility

drugs, there are no documented cases of naturally conceived octuplets.

Doctors say the babies, born Monday, are all breathing on their own, but the

babies are all under four pounds and are expected to remain in the hospital

for weeks.

The woman and her children live on this cul de sac, with her parents. We

knocked on the door and a man confirmed he's the grandfather of the octuplets,

but he refused to speak to us.

From what you know of this family and this household, do you think that

they'll be able to support 14 kids?

Woman: Well, so far they've been fine with the six they have. Fourteen, I

don't know.

KAUFFMAN: They'll be living in this neighborhood where homes have just two or

three bedrooms. It'll be tight. Hattie Kauffman, CBS News, near Los Angeles.

MITCHELL: It'll be tight. That's the line of the day.

HARRY SMITH, co-host:

Tight.

JULIE CHEN, co-host:

Wow.

MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ, co-host:

Tight and tense, maybe. That's a lot of people.

SMITH: I'm the youngest of eight. Eight is a lot.

CHEN: You're the youngest of eight.

SMITH: Yes.

Comments

[Beninn]

This is millions of dollars in hospital bills that fall to us, the taxpayers, to pay. Not to mention that these kids (all pre-term) will require special medical care and special education for the rest of their lives, the costs of which will fall to us, the taxpayers.

This woman and her parents are crazy, and it is people like this who ruin the quality of life in the US for everyone and have brought us to the brink of collapse. Think of her and her parents as you would the CEOs who take bonuses with taxpayer bailouts. Think of her and her parents as you would the bankers that swindled the American taxpayers by bundling bad debts.

[Sky1ar]

First of all, it is not medically safe for the mother or babies to have this many. These babies are going to have to be in the hospital for a very long time which will be very expensive. They may require all kinds of medical attention for many years to come. If she wanted to have 14 children, why not have them one at a time? This would be medically safer for mother and child. And by the time the last ones were born, the older ones would be out of the house. This would mean more attention for each child and less crowding. Something is wrong here. And as far as all of these opinions and comments-- if you have six children under the age of seven and deliberately have 8 more at one time, you would certainly expect there to be universal interest.

[indy girl]

"And as far as all of these opinions and comments-- if you have six children under the age of seven and deliberately have 8 more at one time, you would certainly expect there to be universal interest."

Only about how ignorant of a mother you would be to have deliberately put yourself in that position!

[voltairegirl]

Someone should out the infertility specialists who were involved in this travesty. Fourteen children--when we all know what a job it is to be an excellent parent to one or two. Not to speak of the ecological consequences of hogging this much of the world's resources. What are these people thinking?

No, I don't think is a terrible idea for poor people. I think it's a terrible idea for anyone.

[kamhwy08]

I will only say this - a wealthy family - weather it be black, white, yellow, red, pink - can have as many kids as they want. Again, many here fail to see the point that it is irresponsible (yes, I said it) for a single mother of 6 kids to take fertility drugs so that she can get pregnant again. Listen, every has a right to do with their body - that is, until you start going to the city/state/federal government for assistance. Then, it's no longer YOUR business; it's the government's business too. Let's be real here, do you honestly believe that this woman, living at home, can support 14 children by herself with financial help from either charity or government? I wish her family well and that God shows them the way. By the way, I doubt the Duggar are self-sufficient either. The media glorifies that bunch and rewards them with a tv show. That is pathetic and obscene. Yes, that family needs to practice family planning too. Enough!

[kamhwy08]

I think TY90 misses the point here - this isn't about race. As an African-American man I'm disturbed by the fact the woman decided to take fertility drugs even though she already had 6 children. I also think that you fail to see the point that you have a single mother here - living with her parents - having to support 14 children. My concern here is really for those children; are they going to get the sort of care they need? As you well know, pre-mature children usually develop all types of complications which require greater/frequent medical care. You wondered why no one is upset when wealthy people have many kids - the short answer - they can afford them; provide for them; take care of them. I'd suggest to you that given that she's living at home with her parents mean that the State of California will be pick up the tab for much of those medical bills. Moreover, I think this raises serious ethical questions for the medical community. How in the world do you treat a woman, who already has 6 children, with more fertility drugs? Yes, I do believe EVERY child is precious and God's gift; God also give up the ability to make rational decisions. I think this woman didn't do that here. I wish her and her family the best.

[Beninn]

I would love to know how she wound up at Kaiser. The medical bills for delivering these babies alone is in the millions. They won't be able to go home for months, and that's more millions that the taxpayers will have to pick up.

Think about who won't be getting medical care because of this crazy woman's delusions about wanting 'gazillions' of kids. Think of the parents of other children who go without medical treatment when they're ill, who die for lack of medical care, and leave other children orphaned.

[My10cents]

Let me weigh in. This is a sin (not in some devil in black way; but in a pathetic way). In America we allow thousands of children to wallow away in foster care ignoring them and averting our eyes, of course.
And, yet this trick has 8 children and already has 6. Please spare me the God speel....we use that to justify e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. This is utterly ridiculous and I am sick of paying for other people's children and the crooks on wall street. Da*n

[Ty90]

My aunt has 10 kids. Is she a crazy half Duggar too?

You people are sooooo ignorant! Geez.

As long as people can afford their kids i see no problem with it.

[aweissnet]

Yeah, but she can't afford it. She's living with her parents, and just went through bankruptcy.

Thought, your aunt's actions are questionable too. If you can't figure out how to take a pill, use a condom, or other device ... keep your legs together!

[Ty90]

It's not about knowing how to take birth control, my aunt has 10 kids
because she wants a large family. I know some of you hate kids and family,
but oh well! A lot of others do not.

Oh and my aunt is married. All of her kids share the same father.

[FabulousAt52]

did your aunt have 6 at once and then get fertilized to have 4 the next time??

Having a large family the NATURAL way, one pregnancy for each child (or two, if twins are born) spaced a few years apart is a LOT different than intentionally having **14 children**
by way of InVitro Fertilization / and only FIVE pregnancies.

This woman has serious mental issues, and so do her idiot parents - who support her stupid and irresponsible behavior.

[Ty90]

So what? This woman can have as many kids as she chooses.

Why does it bother you so much?

[GiannaX]

Because the taxpayers pick up the tab! California is BANKRUPT! Those of us due a refund on our state tax return are getting an IOU instead! That why!

[sinward]

R U insane or just playing Stupid? This type of behavior affects us all!!!! Have you every worked w/ an autist child? Do u know the health care cost to a premature baby? Do u know the cost to all of us to feed and clothe 14 children? Please think before U post.

[Mariposa27]

I am deeply troubled by the undercurrents of this story. The comments here, by which I am somewhat surprised, and the slant that's developing in the media are deeply racist, classist, and heterocentric. Yes; no one has mentioned the woman's race, but given the color of the doctors who delivered the babies and the accents of the "unidentified" woman who's been interviewed, I would not be surprised if this woman is a woman of color.

I don't expect most people to understand my position, but why should a rich person get to have as many children as they can/want, while a poor person should have limits? I don't know anyone who wants to be poor. Poverty in this country and across the world is by design--and news flash, it wasn't designed by the poor. Additionally, if we had universal health care, good public education, and a livable wage this conversation would be moot. If a rich person can get tv deals and free stuff to take care of their multitude of kids, why shouldn't a not-so-well-off person get the same.

Finally, We need to be more open-minded about the myriad of ways families are structured. Why does she need a husband or boyfriend. Maybe she has a girlfriend, or doesn't want a partner? Do women still need to have a man to have a family? Clearly she has support from her parents with whom she lives. These comments are unfortunately heterocentric.

[camb94]

I don't think this is about race or partners. This is about the purpose of women's bodies and how many children it is designed to produce. Women are not cats that can toss out 6 at a time. A woman doesn't have 6 nipples for feeding a litter. Moreover, she already has 6 kids. Fertility treatments are for people who are infertile. Obviously not the problem. Any fertility clinic that treated her was being unethical. As for poverty, people may not choose to be poor, but many people choose poorly and this was a poor choice.

[Mariposa27]

You are right, this is in part about a woman's body, and this woman chose to have IV. For the record, a lot people who do fertility treatments have multi-births because doctors usually implant more than one to increase the probability of success, and because the process is particularly hard on women. Having multiple implants is cheaper than repeated unsuccessful attempts. Additionally, IV is not for infertile women; sometimes it's the man who has the problem, or it's for couples, who, for whatever reason (sexuality etc), choose to plan their pregnancies/families.

Whatever you or anyone else has to say, this is about class: the rich can have as many children as they can and we're not supposed to judge them because they can afford it, and the poor should not "choose poorly" because they are poor. If this woman had money, regardless of how many children she already has, the flavor of this discussion would not be as it is.

To "LemonMeringue" Liberals can also be bigots/elitists; what's your point?

[LemonMeringue]

"I don't expect most people to understand my position, but why should a rich person get to have as many children as they can/want, while a poor person should have limits?"

Isn't it obvious? You are supposed to support your family. You are not supposed to deliberately have kids you know other people have to support. We have our own kids to support. And I'm a liberal.

[kathleenmc]

I don't think this is about race at all. I believe they reported on the news that the grandfather of the newborns is Iraqi, hence the accent. The report said that the grandfather is taking responsibility for he family. The concern is about the medical practice of permitting a woman to carry eight fetuses.

[NewDem08]

She doesn't need universal health care. She'll never pay the bills for this travesty.

Are you really so naive that you believe it's acceptable for the hospital/the government (or whoever ends up paying the multi-million dollar cost of care for this litter) to foot the bill for this woman's irresponsible and selfish choices?

It would take much more than a "livable wage" to pay for this freak show.

[Beninn]

As far as I'm concerned, this has nothing to do with race. Until I read your comments, I hadn't considered the woman was anything but crazy.

Human beings aren't meant to have litters. Raising children in our culture, in all cultures, is a long term proposition. It's hard enough for two parents to raise one healthy and responsible child to adulthood in our current culture. For a single parent with 14, it's not possible at all. The woman is clearly mentally disturbed. She isn't able to support herself, living with her parents.

[Bariis]

My jaw is still on the floor and somehow can't seem to bring it back up.

This family is seriously going to need all the help they can get. Why won't they just publicly come out like the McCaughey family did back in '97 when they had their septuplets?

After all, there are benefits to having that many kids. A house built for you and your family is just a start. Donations do flood in and these things do actually happen.

[FabulousAt52]

Personally, I believe this was the exact motivation and intention behind this disgraceful action on the mother's part.
She had visions of a TV show and a home built for her and grandma and grandpa....
disposable diaper companies giving her a 4 year supply for all the kids, baby food companies give-aways and making commercials using her brood. $$$ and Fame.
Isn't that why we ALL have kids?? [sarcasm]

And I still say Grandpa didn't run off to "make more money to support the kids..." I think he ran off, period. He knows insanity when he sees it!

[dandypuddin]

So what fertility doctor treated this woman who already has 6 kids at home? Who implanted 8 embryos in this woman. The physician sounds like a quack. I thought fertility treatment was for women who couldn't have children without help, not for women with 6 kids at home! Something is not right here. 14 children, lordy!

[Bariis]

I highly doubt it was in-vitro because no sane doctor would implant that many fertilized eggs into a woman's uterus. No way. I'm sure they're specially trained to prevent those sort of things.

However, my assumption tells me that it may have been due to fertility drugs that multiplies the follicles and thus results in the conception of that many babies.

[aweissnet]

IVF

[sinward]

What planet have u been on? That is what the uproar is about is that all 14 were conceived by a fertility clinic. Her mother reported that her "tubes were clogged." that Bariis,again is the issue. She already had 6 children. One if which is autistic. Do u understand the needs of an autistic child. Do u understand the needs of 8 children born 3 month premature. Do u understand the learning disabilities involved? Do understand the medical needs? Please just go back to playing your nintendo WIii, us big people will make the future decisions.

[Bariis]

I really hope they do come out cause I'm really intrigued and curious about all of this.

[chayefsky]

Who needs family planning? Right Obama et.al.?

[jadedat51]

"Mom" needs therapy. Why, oh why, would any (young) mother with 6 children already, opt for fertility treatments? HER 6 CHILDREN ARE YOUNG! It's not like she could not conceive for a number of years! Where's the professionalism of the fertility dr? Sorry, this is all about publicity and $$$$$, and boarders on child abuse. Keep it up, mainstream media (publicity, book deals, special funds) - dectuplits (sp? - 10) will follow shortly. More fodder for the media circus. Those of us with (a few) children are well aware of the time, resources, etc. needed to effectively parent.

[SharonB]

I have now heard everything I need to heard to say without a doubt that the human race has gone completely mad.
Why are humans the only species that is evolving into something more and more ignorant and more and more greedy?

[aweissnet]

And more and more stoopid?

Guess Darwinism is not in charge here ....

[sunnybunny]

OMG can you imagine what her body must look like? I can't believe I haven't read anything in the comments anbout that! I mean the ads accompanying the article offer help with stretch marks. This woman must be solid stretch marks among other physical considerations. There is no way she is in her right mind!
My 13 yo daughter called my attention to this she was shocked and said she feels so sorry for those poor kids. She can't possibly be able to take good care of that many.