Man in sextuplets hoax gets prison time

A man who lied about being the father of sextuplets so he and his wife could solicit donations was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for violating probation.

Kris Everson, 35, and his wife, Sarah, 46, had been sentenced in August 2006 to four years probation after each pleaded guilty to one count of felony stealing by deceit. They were required to pay $3,661 restitution and perform 40 hours of community service.

But warrants for the couple were issued after they failed to pay restitution and missed several probation violation hearings.

Prosecutors said Kris Everson surrendered late last month. He was sentenced Monday in Jackson County Courthouse in Independence.

His wife's whereabouts were not known, prosecutors said.

Charles A. Kellogg, an attorney for the couple, declined to comment Monday through a secretary.

Community leaders in Grain Valley said the Eversons came to them in March 2006, saying they had delivered six critically ill babies and needed help. The couple claimed the births were being kept secret by a court order because a family member was out to kill them.

Within days of the story appearing on the front of a local newspaper, the couple was barraged with questions from the media. They later admitted the story was a hoax, police said.