LOS ANGELES – The father of the California woman who gave birth to octuplets has told TV host Oprah Winfrey that he hoped people did not punish his grandchildren for his daughter’s “irresponsible” behaviour.
Ed Doud said in an interview recorded for next Tuesday's The Oprah Winfrey Showthat the actions of his daughter, Nadya Suleman, and her doctor were "absolutely irresponsible". But he issued a plea for the public's help, according to excerpts of the interview that have been released.
“You know what? She needs help. I say to everybody now – people – we do need help,” Mr Doud said. “Do not punish my daughter for what she had done and do not punish the babies, because they were given by God.”
Ms Suleman, a 33-year-old single mother from Whittier already had six children when she gave birth to octuplets in late January after undergoing in vitro fertilisation. She is unemployed and lives with her mother in a three-bedroom home. Records show Ms Suleman’s mother Angela owns the home and is $16,300 behind with mortgage payments. The house could be repossessed and sold at auction in May.
A California-based non-profit group, Angels in Waiting, has offered Ms Suleman round-the-clock care and a place to stay with her 14 children. It would cost about $95,000 a month to provide the 12 caretakers necessary for the children, money that would have to come from public donations, founder Linda West Conforti said.
Asked if he thought his daughter was mentally stable, Mr Doud said: “Now I’m no psychiatrist, but I question her mental situation.” – (AP)