The woman known as "Octomom" for giving birth to the world's longest-surviving octuplets pleaded not guilty today to three charges of welfare fraud. Nadya Suleman is accused of failing to report USD 30,000 that authorities say she was earning when she applied for public assistance benefits.
The 38-year-old single mother of 14 children was released on her own recognizance after arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Suleman, whose real name is Natalie Denise Suleman, shot to fame on January 26, 2009, when she gave birth to eight children. Like her six older children, they were all conceived by in-vitro fertilization.
Deputy District Attorney Bill Clark said the case will now go to disposition court, where authorities will try to resolve it without a trial.
If convicted, she could face five years and eight months in prison.
Clark indicated it was unlikely she would face that much, if any, time behind bars.
"She's got 14 children. We'll try and work out a deal for her," he said.
Suleman did not speak to reporters.
Authorities say she failed to disclose residuals from videos and money she was paid for personal appearances when she applied for welfare last year.
Almost from the beginning, she has struggled to support the additional children.
She has found ways to make money: doing a porn video, posing topless for various publications, dancing in a Florida strip club and taking part in so-called celebrity boxing matches.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals paid Suleman USD 5,000 and gave her a month's supply of vegetarian hot dogs and hamburgers in 2010 for endorsing birth control for dogs and cats.
