A woman who faked her pregnancy and continued the lie that she had given birth using a plastic doll has stepped back from her deal with documentary makers.
Former supermarket worker Kira Cousins, 23, from Airdrie, Scotland, is said to have tricked her boyfriend and family into believing she was to become a mother, even holding a gender reveal party to celebrate.
But just days after claiming to have given birth, she told the ‘baby’s father’, Jamie Gardner, that the infant had died when in reality there was no baby.
It is understood that her mother discovered the lifelike doll in her bedroom.
Last year, Glasgow-based Two Rivers Media and Soho Studios confirmed they had teamed up to make a documentary about Ms Cousins and her ‘fake baby’ scam.
Kira revealed on Monday via Instagram, however, that she decided, after discussions with the producers, to withdraw from the documentary.
‘While I may choose to share my story at some point in the future, I may equally decide not to,’ she wrote.
‘At the moment, I don’t feel that this is the right time. I acknowledge that my actions may have caused confusion or upset and have apologised privately to those closely affected, and now online to those who it also may have caused upset or distress.
Kira Cousins, who is said to have tricked her boyfriend and her family into believing she was pregnant, and even held a gender reveal party (where she is pictured) to celebrate, has stepped back from her documentary
‘It is most important that those closest to the situation are given the time and space to heal. I am focusing on myself and prioritising the mental health of both myself and others involved, which has informed my decision.
‘I would also like to thank everyone who has been involved and who has offered me support and guidance during this time.
‘I will continue to work upon myself to be the best version I can be for myself, family, and friends.
‘I apologise to my ex and his family, I wish them all the best and hope this decision brings them peace. Thank you for understanding.’
When Kira’s story hit headlines last year, many expressed outrage at her actions.
In a social media statement, she seemingly admitted her mother found the doll and insisted that her family did not know what she had done.
She added at the time: ‘While I’m not condoning any behaviour led by myself, I’d like to clear some things up for the people who were involved.
‘Maybe in time I will come out and address the sadness once the right help etc. has been sought.’
Pictured: The Reborn doll Kira used to convince friends and family she had given birth to a baby named Bonnie-Leigh
Kira told her followers that she’s stepped back from the documentary to prioritise ‘the mental health of both myself and others involved’
It is claimed she bought a ‘pregnant tummy’ prop, had a baby shower thrown for her and marked the pending birth with the gender reveal party in Caldercruix, near Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
She initially posted photos of her ‘daughter’ following the birth, but after refusing to allow anyone near her, suspicions grew.
The ‘mother’ eventually claimed the baby had died, and it is understood it was her mother who discovered the life-like doll in her bedroom.
Her friends believe she’d paid a ‘fortune’ for the doll, with one claiming Kira ‘stole’ pictures of her daughter and used them to deceive her family.
A source who knows the family well said last year: ‘It’s the talk of Scotland. She took the doll in to show her workmates and wouldn’t let them touch the baby.
They added: ‘Her mum bought a pram for her, £1,000, her gran bought car seats and everything, and one of her cousins from Wales supposedly sent her £500.’
