Octuplets mom 'exploiting' children, Gloria Allred claims as she files court petition

Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred announced today that she has filed a petition in Orange County Superior Court seeking a guardian to protect the financial interest of Nadya Suleman’s octuplets.

"Rather than choosing to provide her children with a normal life, their mother, Nadya Suleman, has chosen instead to commercially exploit them,” Allred said in a statement. “We believe that the babies are entitled to remuneration, since much, if not most, of the compensation appears to be for the use of their images.”

Since bringing her babies home from the hospital, Suleman has allowed them to filmed on the celebrity website Radaronline, and a photo agency has released their images for sale. Suleman has also talked of signing a contract for a reality television show about her life raising octuplets and her six other children, and she had her “Octomom” nickname trademarked.

Allred, on behalf of her client, Paul Peterson, the president of “A Minor Consideration,” a nonprofit formed to give support to young performers, is seeking an order that would create separate bank accounts for the babies’ earnings and require Suleman to hire a professional agent for the babies, separate from her own agent.  

Allred earlier represented nurses who filed complaints with child-welfare officials alleging that Suleman’s home was not safe for the children. The nurses from Angels in Waiting began working with Suleman after a deal brokered by talk-show host Dr. Phil McGraw. But the deal fell apart after Suleman complained that the nurses were spying on her. The nurses later held a news conference and discussed their concerns, which included complaints that Suleman allowed dirty television cables in the nursery.

Allred also said that she had sent a letter to the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement requesting an investigation into whether Suleman had broken California laws regulating child performers.

Suleman could not immediately be reached for comment.

-- Jessica Garrison

Previously on L.A. Now

Octuplets mom admits she was 'in denial' about baby homecoming

911 calls released in octuplets mom's homecoming

La Habra overrun by octuplets mania

Octuplets' mom identifies her fertility clinic in Beverly Hills

Octuplets story takes surreal turns, including YouTube video

Comments

[hanna]

This the first time I ever agree with anything Gloria Allred has none or said. I hope she is successful in ultimately finding a safe and nurturing home for the babies.

[Glen S. Fleetwood]

Gloria Allred exploits those children, "Mister DUI" says.

[grammyammy]

Oh yes here she goes again, Gloria ALlred mind your own business.. I knew you couldn't leave being fired alone... you are the most disgusting woman I have ever seen. each time I see your face on tv I turn the channel.... Leave this mother alone, she is trying to make it without taking from the state, nobody says anything about the other families on TV.. you should be ashamed of yourself.. maybe you are just jealous that she is doing so well.. and the babies are just beautiful and healthy.. and CPS says everything is ok.. go away you are the worst..

[Just walking the dog here]

Gloria, good luck with that. Mother's rights, as you well know, seem to be fairly inviolate, until some damage is done. Those older kids have to be "damaged" in some way, the younger ones have very great and distinct needs. I its clear that Ms. Sulemon does not appear to have the level of capabilities necessary to raise 14 children, who of us does. But, there are children everywhere that are mis-treated everyday. Good article in L.A. Times today about who get newsprint and who doesn't. It is instructive when applied in this case too.

[Jon K.]

Octomom is a completely crazy narcissist. Something weird is happening in our society regarding womanhood and concepts of being a mother. You have women like Madonna, Angelina Jolie and now "Octomom" all using their children to try to bring greater attention and social stature to themselves. At the same time you have women like Casey Anthony and Stacey Barker who are killing their daughters so they can go out and party. I think our society is becoming so deeply narcissistic and exhibitionistic that it is corrupting mothers' ability to effectively raise children in a healthy way. It's become all about THEM. Not the children.

[Christine Beatty]

Anybody who still sympathizes with this mentally-unbalanced woman might reconsider just how sympathetic she really is. OTOH, if all her shameless PR and marketing ploys serve to disqualify her and her children for welfare, perhaps it's not such a bad thing.

[aztechispanics]

allred is exploiting those children right from the earliest opportunity shes been there in a high profile case which never had anything whatsoever to do with her or her so called angels. now shes teamed up with some other loser with an agenda. it doesnt wash allred. youre not fooling anyone that you care a dime about those babies , their future or their wellbeing whatever angle you are now exploiting to destroy this family. that woman is worthy of more respect than you who have tried to harm and harass another woman. you are a bully victimising a woman whose got more courage and true feminist values than you could ever pretend to represent from your behaviour over this family. you seem determined to stress and destroy a mother of 14. you tried to have them taken away by cps. that seems to have failed, now you want to interfere in the financial affairs of their family. none of your business. you have cost them and their mother more trouble and strife than any family deserves for any reason whatsoever and should be locked up as a baby abuser. her children will never grow up to thank you for disrespecting their one and only parent who they are likely to love more than any woman on earth. how dare you mess with these childrens lives causeing such turmoil and misery for no good reason. call yourself feminist?!!!! you are more likely to cause 14 children grow up to look at you and your constant attack on their mother and their family life with contempt as do many now observing you constantly trying to go after this single mom and her little children. get over it, you are not part of this story. you are becoming infamous, and harming your own reputation by this senseless, malicious witch hunt. get a life. get lost. its a lose lose situation. you are hurting little babies. i cant imagine anyone is going to call you a feminist lawyer from now on if they think about what you have tried to do to a single mother trying to raise her kids and provide for all of them in similar ways to other multibirth families with media coverage. none of your damn business. do not threaten nadya suleman to do what you say or else youll take court action. you tried that before, it did not work, she is not accountable to you for anything. and i hope she deals with you as the bully you are by counter sueing you for psychological and emotional damage to her and her family.

[JAR]

Gloria Allred is a certifiable ambulance chaser! Any good she may do is overwhelmed by her publicity seeking behavior.

[Peter]

Gloria Allred is a petty and mean-spirited woman. She proactively engaged Suleman and once fired, is now trying to punish her. Allred needs to mind her own business. She's in no position to judge this woman

[Michele Marotta]

The world would be a lot better off if Gloria Allred just dropped dead.

[Jack]

Octomom needs help. She needs the help of good, mentally sound and caring Americans to come round her and support her in any way they can against this stampede on her and her family. It is a vicious mob mentality that Americans need to stand up against wherever they see the persecution of vulnerable young children and their vulnerable mother who has gone through more than any woman on earth deserves in a civilised country. People need to be brave as they are in private and come out to support this woman unless it is too late to protect these innocent people from the ill effects of all this hate. There needs to be public intervention from those who care to stop this hate campaign and leave her and her family who have every right to exist without persecution under the constitution. She needs an organised lobby of supporters against this assault on common values of decency for all families in the States. This cannot go on, it is intolerable fo ranyone to suffer like this. Shes an amazing girl doing a great job of raising her kids despite all. Help her now, its just terrible. Poor family.

[Rosee]

I'm no fan of Ms. Allred..BUT...in this case...she is the only one doing anything to insure that these babies are protected.

Someone needs to step up to the plate before it's too late...and if that is Ms. Allred..so be it.

Protect those babies and the other siblings.

They need to be raised in a household where they are secure and nurtured by loving, common sensed parents.

Obviously there is no real supervision...in a recent story on the news her autistic son was bitten and given a black eye..now tell me...who's watching these children? Really who?

[Here we go]

Bravo Gloria! So relieved someone is protecting these kids interests.

[M smith]

Here's the conundrum: Which of these women is the bigger media whore? I'm going with Allred, simply because she's been at it longer. I would guess that Octomom will catch up soon.

[Joanne]

I don't like Gloria Allred very much, but if it will get the authorities to look into this situation, good for her. The older children are being made to pay for their mother's narcissism. The babies will pay from here on out. Remember the Dionne quintuplets? They never had a normal life. I'm afraid without intervention, this mother will see to it that these children will never have a normal life. I'm sure many people are ready to help her give her children as normal a life as possible. I don't think that is what she wants. She is going to turn her older children in to baby sitters and back drop, and the younger ones into show pieces.

[Kevin]

I thought Gloria Allred was just a publicity hound. I didn't realize she was running a protection racket. Keep an eye on Octomom, sure, but keep Gloria Allred out of it.

[legalchick]

Pot, meet Kettle Black

[Teresa]

Gloria Allred is the problem. It's a shame that she isn't disbarred for her unethical and vindictive behavior. The last thing she cares about is those poor kids - leave Suleman alone already.

Allred just feels entitled to a piece of the pie. Disgusting.

[sugarplum]

Does anyone making a negative comment about Gloria Allred see anyone else taking the bull by the horn to make sure the children are taken care of? Geez, take the blinders off! Someone needs to put a stop to Octomom's irratic behaviour. Her atty certainly hasn't done it. And to think that he says the children are just "incidental". So they just happen to be there when Nadya wants to be video'd. Without the babies Nadya is no one. Give me a break. Czech would rather bash Allred, too. So is he working pro-bono for the Suleman's? It's obvious she's been exploiting her children from day one, and she loves it. And she really believes no one can stop her. Maybe so, but someone needs to have the best interest of the children at hand. Maybe now, the money that they're making at 3 months of age, will be there as they get older. And maybe now, Nadya will see reality as it really is....and I'm not talking about a reality show.

[Ardvarc]

I am pleasantly surprised to see Allred defend the cause of children - after trying to have 8 babies ripped out of a loving family on false arguments & lunatic observations by those with doubtful agendas. So does this new found concern for the welfare of media kids mean that she is about to press for a lawsuit against the Obamas and all politicians whose children are an integral part of their campaign and political profiles that voters insist on viewing & making voting decision on? Is she just about to sue the Pitt-Jolies for making millions out of their new born twins and other children for a photo session to donate to charity. Did those babies ask to be photographed and turned into a charity publicity tool?
The Beckhams get paid for photos of their children. Are those children protected under the exact same laws that Allred is trying to use on these children of a poor family & why is she not harassing their parents right outside their door this minute? All the california celebrities whose children appear on videos and photo sessions or whose parents talk about them on chat shows - they are all being used then & need to be considered as working adults covered by work laws because they contribute to their parents publicity & careers. What is to be gained by suing a poor woman who cannot pay back? Is this to squeeze her financially drier than she already is? Is it pay or prison or does Allred know that her evil attempts will prevent the Sulemans from making a contract that they need to feed them until this case is over and even if it gets nowhere she has been a hellraiser and the satisfaction that will give Allred. Revenge is it? Because she stopped your other scheme? Stop puinishing Suleman. She does not deserve this level of private intrusion. Her children will not thank Allred for the hell she is stirring exploiting their names against their own mother to make a mean and divisive attack on a family. Its so cynical, vindictive and vicious only those of like mind will not see what shes doing to this family. Leave them alone. Those kids will grow up one day to give their mother more than 10% for all she has done to care for them against every character assassination and bitchiness from Allred & many others. Dont tell me Allred cares a damn, how dare she use the children to attack their own mother & stir up trouble at every level she can. Thank God Suleman is as sane as she is or she would simply not cope. No new mother of even 1 child could cope with this, no less a single parent. Of 8. And 6 others who all need her and never wanted Allred or her good will Angels in their house, such was the children's perception of her, it is reported & children often instinctively know.

[A caring mom]

I believe the Octomom suffers from a form of Munchausen's by Proxy, in that she is using her children to get attention. I applaud Ms. Allred for stepping in and raising concerns. I hope Orange County Child Protection is monitoring the situation.

Give those eight infants to parents who will love and care for them - not exploit them. The infants are young enough that they would bond with their new families. Every child deserves to have the total loving attention of their parents, but with 14 kids and no husband there is no way she can give all 14 kids the attention they need. It's absurd.

[Mike]

Nadya writes these crazy comments in her own defnse, make no mistake about that.

[Tina]

lol at these posts by nadya!! like ardvarc's insane rant saying >>> OMG! What kind of ego maniac is already thinking about how much hr children will give her, and how
incredibly twisted to imply You are protecting them from people like alred when it's you who is putting all of you in the spotlight to begin with! (and continue to). You are NUTS and psychopathic Nadya...a true pathological narcissist who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. You have proven yourself to be a pathological liar, ab extreme narcissist , and quite possibly a true psycopath. No one buys your tripe, so why don't you spend your time actually being a mom rather than worrying ab out your public image.

[Millie]

All those who want Ms Suleman to fail come on every available message board and rant and rave about how crazy she is; in reality if you read their rants it is obvious who is really mentally unbalanced. They hate her so much they spend hours at the computer putting her down for everything she does.

Ms Alllred got involved in this before the babies were even discharged from the hospital. She became the attorney for Angels in Waiting nurses specifically as a means to get involved in the lives of the octuplets. Why would anyone think eight babies require the services of a set of professionals who were charging $130000 per month to take care of eight babies. Nadya fired them, hired some nannies at a fraction of the cost and the babies are strong, healthy and growing and developing normally as evident in those same Radar Online videos.

Now Allred wants to put a guardian in place to make sure the money earned by Nadya in the only way she can isn't used to support the babies, but will rather be eaten up by lawyers fees and agents fees. This will make it impossible for the family to live decently and result in them going back on foodstamps, WIC and to continue on MediCal . How can Nadya go out to work a 9 to 5 job and still take care of 14 children and if she did what kind of job would pay enough? Leave her alone Ms Allred, she is doing what she has to do, and getting their pictures taken or spending a few seconds a day in front of a video camera is much better than being in poverty!