Sextuplet mom seeks legal separation from husband

[October 23, 2010]  PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) -- The mother of sextuplets who were the subject of a reality TV series has filed for legal separation from her husband and wants sole custody of the children.

Jennifer Masche filed the petition days after her husband, Bryan, was arrested for yelling at and threatening his wife and another family member at a relative's home in Camp Verde. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of domestic violence and one count of resisting arrest.

Court records filed Sept. 17 in Yavapai County show she is seeking primary custody of the children, who were born in June 2007 at a Phoenix hospital, with reasonable visitation rights for their father.

She's also asking that the Arizona court order that the couple's property be divided equally and child support be established.

The Masches starred in "Raising Sextuplets," which has finished its second season on WE TV.

A network spokeswoman declined to comment, saying it would respect the family's privacy. A message left for Jennifer Masche's attorney wasn't immediately returned.

Bryan Masche declined comment when reached Tuesday.

The couple were married nearly seven years ago, shortly after Bryan Masche proposed to Jennifer at an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. They later moved to Destin, Fla.

Jennifer, who works as a physician's assistant, told The Associated Press last year that marriage is hard and the couple prays for wisdom to stay strong and united. In her blog, she credited date nights and counseling from a pastor for reminding her and her husband of their priorities and to work out disagreements.

She told authorities in Camp Verde that her husband's Sept. 11 outburst stemmed from marital issues and his desire to take the children to Lake Havasu City, where they once lived. She also said he was upset and yelled profanities in the children's presence when he became aware of her plans to visit friends in Phoenix for work reasons, according to the complaint.

Bryan Masche's next court date on the domestic violence charges is set for Oct. 7.

[Associated Press]

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