A woman in Airdrie has caused a stir by fabricating a pregnancy and presenting a doll as her newborn baby Bonnie-Leigh, before falsely informing her partner that the baby had passed away. Kira Cousins, 22, allegedly used a fake baby bump, staged a fake birth, and showcased a plastic doll as her infant daughter on social media. She shared details of the “birth,” including a birth weight of 5lbs 4oz on October 10.
Leading up to the elaborate deception, Kira posted images of ultrasounds, a gender reveal party, videos of the “baby” moving in her belly, and gifts received for Bonnie-Leigh, such as an expensive pram and car seat. Reports indicate that she even mentioned medical issues with the baby, claiming a heart defect was detected during prenatal tests.
The truth came to light when friends and family discovered that Bonnie-Leigh was actually a doll, not a real baby, after her mother found the prop in Kira’s possession. Screenshots of messages suggest that Kira then informed the man she claimed was the baby’s father that the baby had died.
In response to the exposure, Kira posted a statement on TikTok admitting to the deception, stating that she had been caught by her family and none of them were aware of the ruse. Neave McRobert, a friend, revealed suspicions were raised when Kira prevented anyone from touching the “baby” and failed to produce any evidence of the baby’s existence during a visit to a hospital.
Reactions to the deceit have been strong, with many expressing shock and disappointment at being misled for an extended period. The use of a Reborn doll in the scheme, which can cost between £30 to £2000 and resemble real babies, highlights the lengths to which the deception was taken. A family friend mentioned noticing inconsistencies with Kira’s pregnancy bump and suspected it was not genuine but refrained from speaking up due to concerns about being perceived negatively.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion and condemnation, shedding light on the consequences of such elaborate deceptions on social media and in personal relationships.