WASHINGTON — The biological mother of two children seen in those controversial “DaddyOFive” YouTube prank videos told ABC News that she “had an anxiety attack” after watching the videos.
The videos — which show Mike and Heather Martin of Ijamsville, Maryland, pulling pranks on their kids and often making them cry — have drawn accusations of child abuse.
Rose Hall, the biological mother of the two youngest children, Emma and Cody, won temporary custody last week.
She told ABC’s “Nightline” that when she watched the videos, “it was very painful.”
“I cried. I had an anxiety attack the same day,” she said.
A video showing Cody being pushed into a piece of furniture, she said, is what prompted her to try to regain custody.
Hall also accused the Martins of abusing her kids. “I’m glad I was not in the same room as Mike and Heather at the time they did that to my children,” she said.
The Martins told ABC last week that the kids were mostly acting in the videos. The couple also recorded an apology video.
A spokesperson for the Martins gave ABC this statement: “The Martins accept full responsibility for their parenting decisions and remain transparent and cooperative with oversight agencies. Their primary focus continues to be their family during this extraordinarily difficult time.”
The Baltimore Sun reports that both Baltimore County Police and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office are investigating to see if any crimes were committed.
So far, no charges have been filed.
