From captivity to parenthood – After Lockup, Gypsy Rose Alcida Blanchard, 32, has gathered public attention with her extraordinary life story, marked with betrayal, tragedy and now unexpected joy. Gypsy Rose, who underwent years of painful medical abuse, has just announced on her YouTube channel in a video titled “I’m Pregnant, My Journey So Far.” on Tuesday, July 9th.
She came into the spotlight in 2015 when she played the role of killing her mother, Dee Dee–Clauddine Blanchard. Now, a new chapter has begun as she expects her first baby with her boyfriend, Ken Urker, 31.
This announcement marks an incredible transformation from a victim of deception to a symbol of strength. In her video, she explains “I know rumours have been flying around for quite some time now and I’m happy to announce that I’m 11 weeks pregnant.” Further.
she continues to share, “Ken and I are expecting our very first child come January of 2025.” Additionally, she acknowledges, “This was not planned at all, it was completely unexpected, but we both are very excited to take on this new journey of parenthood.”
How was Gypsy’s Earlier Life?
Gypsy Blanchard was born on July 27, 1991, in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, United States and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. She is a survivor of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Her other name is Anderson. Her father’s name was Rodney Blanchard. She spent many years of her life in painful medical abuse at the hands of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard.
For a long time, Rose was a victim of her mother’s cruelty. Her mother forced her to use a wheelchair and gave her drugs to make her look sick. However, Gypsy was totally fine. But her mother had been lying about her health. This was done to elicit sympathy and financial gain. According to the experts, Clauddine Blanchard was mentally ill and her behavior was due to the mental disorder called Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
She gained widespread fame when she was arrested and convicted of second-degree murder, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, for her abusive mother with the help of her online boyfriend Godejohn. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to lifetime in jail and an additional 25 years for his criminal action. During her court trials, she stated that she hid in the bathroom while her boyfriend was stabbing her mother with a knife.
How did Dee Dee fabricate Gypsy’s Illness?
Gypsy-Rose was just a baby when her mother Dee Dee first claimed she had sleep apnea. By the time Gypsy turned 8, her mother fabricated a series of debilitating conditions for her, including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and the need for a wheelchair and feeding tube. Dee Dee continued to invent medical issues for her daughter, including seizures, asthma, and both hearing and vision impairments.
As a result of Dee Dee’s deception, Gypsy underwent numerous unnecessary treatments and medications and was even required to use a breathing machine while sleeping. The motherShe underwent numerous surgical procedures, including operations on her eyes and the removal of her salivary glands. When her teeth decayed—possibly due to medications, lack of saliva, or neglect—they had to be extracted. However, the truth came to be opposite when she was convicted murder of her abusive mother.
Dr. Marc Feldman, a noted expert in Munchausen syndrome by proxy (Munchausen syndrome by proxy), described Gypsy’s life and decisions as follows: “The level of control exerted over her was akin to that over a kidnapping victim. Essentially, her daughter was held hostage, and the subsequent crime can be seen as an attempt by the hostage to break free.”
How did Gypsy struggle for her survival?
Following generous donations, including a residence near Springfield, Missouri, provided by Habitat for Humanity, the story of the mother-daughter duo took a tragic turn. In 2011, Gypsy tried to escape her mother’s control by eloping with a man whom she met at a science fiction convention. However, Dee Dee quickly located them through mutual acquaintances.
Deceiving the man into believing Gypsy was a minor, despite being 19 at the time; Dee Dee forcefully brought her back home. Gypsy recounted that upon their return; Claudine destroyed her computer and physically restrained her to her bed. Gypsy also revealed instances of her mother’s physical abuse and withholding of food.
Subsequently, Gypsy managed to regain access to the internet and joined a Christian dating site, where she met Nicholas Godejohn. She confided in him about her mother’s actions and eventually asked him to kill Dee Dee so they could be together. In June 2015, Godejohn entered Gypsy’s home and fatally stabbed Dee Dee while Gypsy waited anxiously in the bathroom with her ears covered.
Following the murder, Gypsy, at the age of 23, and her then-boyfriend Nicholas fled to his residence in Wisconsin, where they were apprehended by the Police. During this time, Gypsy accessed the Facebook account she shared with her mother on two occasions, once posting the alarming message, “That D–– is dead!” She later clarified that she intended to ensure her mother’s body would be discovered.
Nicholas received a life sentence in Missouri, while Blanchard struck a plea deal due to the documented abuse she suffered. Upon her release, she expressed forgiveness towards her mother and herself, promoting her story through the Lifetime docuseries ‘The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard’ and her e-book ‘Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom.’
Earlier media coverage includes the HBO documentary ‘Mommy Dead and Dearest’ (2017) and the Hulu miniseries ‘The Act’ (2019).
Conclusion:
In a recent video, Blanchard addressed criticisms about her readiness for motherhood, reflecting on her journey towards accepting parenthood despite the challenges. She shared her excitement about her unplanned pregnancy with Ken Urker, a former prison pen pal who proposed to her during her incarceration. Despite a subsequent split, Blanchard later married Ryan Scott Anderson, a special education teacher from Louisiana, though the marriage ended after her release. She has since reunited with Urker, emphasizing their commitment to building a family together amidst unconventional circumstances.
She expressed, “It’s an amazing feeling when your whole world shifts and suddenly it’s not about you. It’s not about anything other than this tiny little life that’s inside you that you are now in charge of protecting. And that little tiny life is a baby, a little tiny human that’s yours and that you have to make sure that you protect, you love, and you take care of. And all of the things that I wish I could have had when I was little.”
Reflecting on her life’s journey, Blanchard expressed deep happiness, acknowledging that every experience has shaped her into the person she is today. She sees her current situation as a blessing, emphasizing her dedication to protecting and loving her child, a profound contrast to the care she longed for in her childhood.
FAQs
Was Gypsy Rose mother her real mom?
Yes, Dee Dee Blanchard was Gypsy’s real mother.
What happened to Gypsy Rose’s teeth?
Rose had to endure the extraction of many teeth and salivary glands after Dee falsely claimed she had tooth decay.
Is Dr. Chandra from the Act real?
No, it’s a fictional character.
Why did Gypsy and Nick break up?
In her e-book, Gypsy revealed that Nick accused her cheating on him in his writings during their relationship.
Did Gypsy know she could walk?
She said that obviously, she knew she could walk and did not need feeding tube but everything else was a question mark for me.
Did Gypsy regret killing her mom?
Yes, she still feels bad for her actions.
Did Gypsy reconnect with her father?
After being sentenced to prison, Gypsy’s father reconnected with her and gradually repaired their relationship.
How long gypsy in prison?
Rose Blanchard has been released from prison after spending eight years for her role in her mother’s murder. She was released from the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri.