A woman in Airdrie, Kira Cousins, has caused a stir by fabricating a pregnancy and presenting a doll as her newborn daughter, Bonnie-Leigh Joyce, before falsely informing her partner that the baby had passed away. Cousins allegedly wore a prosthetic baby bump, staged a fake birth, and showcased a plastic Reborn doll as her child, Bonnie-Leigh, who she claimed was born on October 10, weighing 5lbs 4oz.
Leading up to the fake birth announcement, Cousins shared images of baby scans, videos of a gender reveal party, and posts of the “baby” kicking in her belly. She also displayed pictures of newborn clothes and items purchased for Bonnie-Leigh, including an expensive pram and car seat.
The deception was uncovered when friends and family realized that six-day-old Bonnie-Leigh was actually a doll. Screenshots of messages allegedly sent by Cousins revealed her falsely informing the man she claimed was the baby’s father that their child had died.
In a statement on TikTok, Cousins admitted to the hoax, stating that her family had discovered the truth before confronting her. Neave McRobert, a friend of Cousins, revealed suspicions arose when no one heard the “baby” cry, and Cousins avoided letting others touch the doll. Neave shared conversations and screenshots exposing the deceit.
Reactions to the revelation were filled with shock and disgust. Reborn dolls, like the one used in the scam, can range in price from £30 to £2000 and are designed to resemble real babies, with some models even simulating crying and wetting functions.
An acquaintance of Cousins revealed suspicions about the fake pregnancy, noting inconsistencies in Cousins’ appearance and behavior. Despite early doubts, speaking out was deemed risky, as it could have led to negative perceptions.