He Says He’s Protecting Them. She Says He’s Keeping Them From Her — Who Do You Believe?

Twelve of the 14 Derrico kids sleep under Deon Derrico’s roof tonight. Their mother says she hasn’t seen them in person since April — and hasn’t had a video call with them since August. One family, two stories, and a fandom that has picked sides and dug in.

Deon and Karen Derrico divorced in June 2024 after 19 years, with joint legal and physical custody of their 13 minor children. Deon pays $1,166 a month in child support; Karen covers medical insurance. On paper, a shared family. In real life, TMZ reported in late October that 12 of the 14 now live with Deon — and the parents tell two different stories about why.

Team Deon: A Dad With 12 Kids Under His Roof

Deon’s camp starts with a number that is hard to argue with: 12 out of 14. He drives a school bus, he pays his support, and the kids are with him. In his October court filing, Deon told the court he has “significant concern regarding the safety and welfare” of his minor children, saying a daughter’s journal described inappropriate touching by a man Karen has spent time with. The man is unidentified, the claim is unverified, no court has ruled on it, and Karen has not yet responded in court to that specific claim. Team Deon reads it as a father acting on danger — and notes Deon has said some kids now sleep with locked doors, according to reports.

This side also points to the summer: Karen was arrested in Las Vegas in June 2026 on charges including harassment, aggravated stalking and violating a restraining order, over emails Deon says broke an April protective order. She pleaded not guilty; her attorney claims Deon forged the emails, which he denies. The case is still open.

Team Karen: A Mom Who Hasn’t Seen Her Kids Since April

Karen’s camp starts with a different number: zero. In her own filing, Karen claims Deon cut off in-person contact in April and ended video calls in August — seven months without seeing her own children. She carried 14 children, four sets of multiples. Now she substitute-teaches while, her supporters say, Deon decides when she gets to be their mom.

This side reads the same papers and sees a different story. The June charges are allegations, and Karen is presumed innocent. Her attorney says the emails at the center of the case were fabricated — and if a judge ever agrees, the foundation of Deon’s protective case collapses. Her supporters call her silence legal strategy, not guilt. Their question is blunt: if the divorce gave both parents joint custody, why do 12 kids live with dad while mom can’t get a video call?

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The Paper Trail Neither Side Can Dodge

The agreed facts: divorced June 2024, joint custody of 13 minors, $1,166 a month in support. Karen arrested June 2026, pleaded not guilty, case open. Deon’s October filing raised an unverified journal claim; Karen has not answered it in court. Twelve kids live with Deon — that is where all 14 kids stand now, according to the papers. Everything else is one parent’s word against the other’s.

And the cameras are already rolling on whatever comes next: Deon has confirmed filming for a new season targeted for 2027, no network or date.

The Voice Nobody Has Heard Yet

Here is the part neither camp can answer: the kids themselves. Eldest daughter Darian is 20 now, an adult who can speak for herself — and hasn’t, at least not in court. The quintuplets are teenagers. The triplets are 7. Everything the public has heard this year came through a parent’s filing or a lawyer’s statement, never from them. Both camps still trust one person: GG, 76, who has battled cancer and filmed a video this year to shut down fake death rumors. If anyone could ask what the kids actually want, it is her.

If a judge asked you tomorrow — keep all 12 kids with Deon until the case is decided, or order shared time with Karen now — which side are you on, and what would it take to change your mind?

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