The ABC home-building reality TV show builds a home for five orphans who are later evicted by the family who took them in.
On Easter Sunday 2005, ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition aired an especially poignant episode. Five children, ages 14-21, from the Higgins family were orphaned. A couple from their church, with three children of their own, took them in. The result was 10 people living in cramped quarters.…
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— go to most recent comments26 - Conrad
All Christians are fake, as far as I can tell Christianity is all about being fake. Pretend to be generous so you can criticize and feel superior to those whom you "helped". Pretend you don't need sex because you're devoting your life to god, then rape children. Pretend to be holier than others, but hate people who are different from you. The people who took in the Higgins kids just to get a free nice new house don't seem like atypical Christians to me.
27 - myboulou
1 ABC should go in that house and get all the higgins stuff that they put in it.
2. abc should sue that family for all the new rooms that was added.
3. put a lein on that house, so that family does not try and sell it.
4. I will pray for that family, and hope they do not get crushed by our creator above.
28 - Billy
Bush is a Christian. Case and point.
29 - Kate
What a shame that people can be so cruel. These children have been through so much in their short lives, then to have this happen. The companies that helped abc build this house are not at fault neither is abc. Children, don't give up your faith in humanity,not all people are this way. God is in control, he will find a way. You children have a great gift, That of each other and your faith in the One that matters. Somehow this will work out in your favor. God be with you as you go through this unfortunate mess.
30 - Nan
People, people - there is no justice in this situation. What the 5 kids will learn if they take this to court is that their "benefactors", however dispicable, possess the deed to the property and the house.
What the 5 kids should do, rather than sue ABC and the others, is team up with ABC and all of the contractors and sue their "benefactors" for fraud. Embroil them in so much litigation that they will have to take out a loan on that beautiful new house they swindled out of ABC. Sully their name and reputation in the courts and community so that they would not be able to show their faces in their "church" again -- if they ever did go to church in the first place. With a sympathetic jury their "benefactors" may have to cough up the costs for building and furnishing the house and pay restitution to the kids -- talk about a mortgage - on a 9 bedroom home -- ouch! That would be the happy ending to this evil deed.
Unfortunately, bad people often win in this world and with any luck the 5 kids won't use their "benefactors" as an example on how to live their lives.
As much as I've hated jury duty in the past, sitting on the jury to hear this case would be my pleasure.
31 - Justin
well the family should all fucking die for being such dicks no place needs people liek that and they should be fucking ashamed to call themselves people (not the higgins people) i believe they had every right to sue those greedy stupid fucking cunts
32 - penny-pen
this is sad,really but i've been there,i lost my parents,and adopted myself into a ready made family,now i really believed that they love me,what i found was that the minute u step out of bounds,u find how much in the family your not,now where these people just a temporary home,and were the kid a were of this if that was the case...the house should be sold and another house build,for those kid,it only fair!!!...penny-pen
33 - Sarah
First of all, please stop attacking Christians. There are bad people in this world, and they come from every single background imaginable. For example, someone in Europe could read this story, and say, "Now that's Americans for you! All Americans are wicked, etc. etc." That wouldn't be fair, would it? Please do not generalize about others. And just a note, Christian only means "like Christ," so this family is obviously not a family of Christians. Their actions are nothing like that of Christ's.
This situation is definitely a terrible injustice on those poor children. I have faith that they'll be taken care of though. And like so many others said, what goes around, comes around. I'll certainly be following the case as much as I can.
34 - Sam from Detroit, MI
This will be a good court case because the donations were gifts the suit will ask at least two guest ions, "Was the gifts given to the orphans and the property owners; 2) How much of the sale price will the evicting family have to pay to the Higgins because their presence in the house is the reason for the giving.
Gifts are tax deductible if the gift giver by definition does not reap reward (thus the paying off of the mortgage), the contractors are safe but ABC and Sears are wishing that they had a better contract if you can attach a monitory value to advertisement fees and exposure.
Don't stop giving.
The contract should state to whom the gifts were given. If the house was given to the land owner then the property owner can evict the non-property owner. If the evicted can prove that they have a vested interest in the property they can sue for their portion of the fair market value.
Don't stop giving.
35 - Kay
On the surface it appears the family is totally immoral and that ABC lawyers are totally inept. But the question that pounds at me is where do the Higgins children get all this money for lawsuits? I can't help being cynical in thinking there is a lawyer out there looking for another deep pocket. If a lawsuit is successful in gaining an astronomical amount of money for 'suffering', the children will be no better off than they were, the lawyer will strike it rich, and Extreme Home Makeover may close its doors. That would be a pity.
I agree with the sentiment that it would be best, if not cheapest, to just build the children a home. The 21-year-old is no child and could be the legal owner (but something should be in the contract about all the children being equal owners). As some have said, ABC could even take all the furniture that was earmarked for the children out of the first house and put it in the new home.
36 - Bliffle
Who are these "Higgins" people , and their team of loathsome Trial Lawyers to interfere with a properly incorporated Red White And Blue American entertainment business? And why are they harassing a Good Christian Family that managed to find a way to improve their lot in life? Some people just don't know when to accept their place in life!
37 - MrMalo
The law will do what is provided for in the contract. Its that simple. If the contract sucks, thats too bad. The host family will in all probability keep the house and contents as provided for in the contract. The kids will get nothing, as provided for in the contract. The legal language will decide the issue.
Calling yourself a Christian doesnt make you one. I happen to be an atheist, yet I try very hard to follow the example set by christ. Far more than most so-called christians I know. And most of them can rationalize even the most outrageous behavior alowing themselves to think they are morally superior to the rest of us. I'm sure the host family is patting themselves on the back for how much God loves them by having ABC renovate their house for them. And rest assured, when they win the lawsuit in court, they will accept that as Gods judgment PROVING that He was on their side all along. This is what is meant by "family values" by the right wingers.
38 - Pam
This is so very sad! However, it is NOT the fault of ABC or Extreme Home Makeover. It is unconcionable that someone could be so cruel to others. However, don't forget there are two sides to every story, so we must let the courts decide and hear both sides. We have already made up our minds what horrible people those church-goers are. They better say their prayers and hope that they will be forgiven. They're very lucky that we have a wonderful judicial system and that stones don't get thrown at them!
39 - gary
So we are assuming that all who go to church are Christians???? Should we all assume that everyone that goes to a bar is a drunk? Nowhere in the above article does it mention that these people were indeed Christians. The Bible says that "you will know them by their fruits" meaning that Christians will be recognized by their life. They were simply church attending people. Judas also sat at the feet of Jesus, that no more made him a christian than someone driving their Ford to a Audi dealer thinking they now have an A8. So let's get it straight. What happened to the Higgins children is a sad and true commentary of comtempt and greed that is bred here in America because of our bend towards an incredibly materialistic society. It has little to do with the fact that this family atended some church. What I don't understand is how (with all the legalese that we have in America) provisions were not included on behalf of the Higgins. One would think that ABC would have thought past the ratings of the show and considered the fact that this family had no legal reason to keep these kids around. ABC - tear down your walls and build these kids a home! Talk about a great show! The rating would probably surpass American Idol.
40 - Russ
Do we know everything to make such quick judgements as you all are doing. Has the trial been completed? Has everything about this situation been heard from. Allevidence is in? It seems almost everyone here has gotten the full facts and have made your own decisions as to just who is right. I've seen friends become enemies to often to think a friendship like this was going to last. Maybe the kids gotto abve the fact that the property (land/original house) was really not theirs. Let the court decide what occoured. Watch courtTv. maybe.
41 - Angela
I don't know why the show should be sued! If anyone should be a target for a suit, the host family is the one to shoot at. I hate that everyone wants to sue the deepest pockets. The show did something great for someone, now someone wants them to pay more! I'll wait until I have more information about why they were told to leave before I pass judgment.
42 - don
its a shame that it happened, but theres good and bad in everyone. my wife watches this show-personally, i can't stand it. they get one family, tell their tale, and then you have 50 minutes watching the teary eyed hosts tell you how great they feel by helping those poor people,and in the end,a poor family of 4 ends up with a 20 room mansion full of overblown items and a $40,000 suv. i'm sure all the stuff they put in the kids rooms end up in the trash after one or two years after the kids interests change. if abc wanted to do a good deed, they should have an extreme makeover for a whole block of katrina victims ! i'm sure all the money they waste on one house could have made a real impact in new orleans and helped a dozen families down there. sure, it may not be a ratings giant, but all those millions would be put to good use
43 - lisa morgan
To whom it may concern,
I love that show "Extreme home make over" . I believe that the producers acted in good faith on that episode. I remember it. It was heart wrenching to say the least. I would agree 150% that the so called "christians" that took this family in and then used them to get a new paid for home.Should loose the house. I hope that the courts find in favor of the children and give them the house.To use children as a weapon for their own personal gain is horriable.Im sure that the parents of these children are looking down from heavon and casting stones at these people.I personally wish I could help these children. My family and I may not have much but we have never turned a child in need away. I was taught to help thy neighbor as thy friend. I believe that what goes around comes around.I know that these evil people will get their just deserts.God will repay them ten fold.
God Bless the little ones they are our tomorrow!
44 - TCA
Unfortunately, I have to agree with these comments about the family being Christians. It's not their choice of faith that is at issue, but the fact that there is a whole base of people that are so dead set on pushing their way of life on others and 99% of the time they justify it with their faith. The people in this thread who are unhappy with that fact should take it to their congregations and try to affect change from the inside. The rest of us are tired of hearing empty preaching. And I'm sure these poor kids are too.
45 - no unnecessary language please
this site needs a moderator prior to posting. ref # 31
46 - Nancy
I loathe organized religion in general, and dislike Christianity in particular, but I must say my dear neighbors are Christian, and demonstrate the very best of what practitioners of that religion should be. Whenever I'm inclined to bash Christians, I have to stop & think of them. Of course, they're human, too, and have their "bad" days, but on the whole, they are exemplars of their faith. It's a pity more people don't seriously practice the religion the way my neighbors do.
47 - SAD TO SAY
EMHE looks for families who are giving back to their community, going above and beyond, doing the right thing, but need help with the home they own. The family already owned the home, it was their's before the makeover and after the makeover. They were chosen for the show because they had reached out to the Higgins family and taken them in, at their own expense and the result was a very cramped house that really couldn't hold all of them. It is easy to see why EMHE chose this family. What caused the family to ask the Higgins' to move out? Was it just greed or something else? The sad part is that the house is and always was the family's and the makeover was done to help them out because of taking in the Higgins. All of it was true at the time. I don't think the courts will have any recourse but to dismiss the case because the Higgins' have no legal standing. Where is the social justice?
48 - phatjack
There's something fishy here. How come we haven't heard more about this case? Was there actually an episode as described? Why isn't the name of the adopting family mentioned? And why isn't the congregation doing something? With all the outrage these actions deserve, I would expect the new family would be tarred and feathered and rode out of town on a rail.
49 - Jeanette
I don't see where the full story has been told here. All of these "I think they should do this or that" is based on what little information is given here. Which isn't much. And as far as the Christian bashing goes, you act like Christains are supposed to be good people and ignore the fact that the bible that their religion is based on says Rom 3:10-12 "There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." So therefore if you know a "christian" who is self righteous maybe you should remind them of Romans 3:10-12. It it were possible for us to do good, we wouldn't have needed Jesus in the 1st place
50 - tboneandersen
First---I find it disturbing that #31 must find it important to us such vulgarity. To share such thoughts to me this is lack of knowledge and ignorance and inexsperian.I have a fowl mouth of my own at times,but I am at least or try to be civil.Time and place for everything but not here.
2nd---The Host family may supposedly practice being Christians or Agostic-Athiest-Muslim and with respect to any of the other religions out there or if they are Heathens.This is not the point.They are people for what ever reason have had a change of heart and perhaps learned they had made a mistake or just saw $$$$.They are only Human, we do do strange things and greed plays a major role world wide so it is not just religion
#3. The Host family owned the home originally. The intentions hopefully meant well but for some reason things did not work. This does not mean they are bad people nor does it say the Higgins were Angels.All of the contributors and program people should not be penalized for trying to do a kind Humanitarian jesture and reap profit at the same time that is their business along with all the sponsors.
Focus---there is a Moral and Ethical issue and I know contracts dont reconize that at least most of the time .The intent was to do good.
Bottom line---Host family owned property.They should get their investment back and some equity that they made or should have made on the original homestead and a portion of the new equity.
once again the Higgins are displaced for whatever reason and deserve a portion of the new equity as it was because of their misfortune others have reaped in a round about manor whether it be intentional or not.
So just hope the courts make the wrong right and fair all around and others dont be so judgemental as we do not know all the facts legal or not. Crap happens.
51 - John I
The show does not exist to do great humanitarian deeds for unfortunate families - it exists to make money for ABC and it's advertisers. If this story gains traction I'm sure they will schedule a new episode building the orphans a new house.
Producing one of these shows is dirt cheap compared to a top drama or sitcom show with high-paid actors. It's basically a giant product placement for Sears with a tear-jerker plot edited in.
Call me cynical, but the resolution to this case will have little to do with christian values, and a whole lot more to do with bottom-line.
52 - Blue Meanies
Kay wrote: On the surface it appears the family is totally immoral and that ABC lawyers are totally inept. But the question that pounds at me is where do the Higgins children get all this money for lawsuits?
Attorneys usually work on contingency; that means they require no payment from their client and instead collect a percentage (something like 33%) of any settlement. If they lose in court the attorney collects nothing. So attorneys are very careful, of course, in selecting contingency cases they are highly confident about winning.
That said, I think there will be justice for the orphan kids and a suitable comeuppance for the other family. It will take time but it will in all likeliness happen. I believe it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said "Beware the wrath of a patient man."
53 - Phillip Winn
The kids were all minors, no? So it's difficult to include them in contracts, which is probably why ABC didn't.
The folks with the title to the house are morons, though. Their church should shame them, ABC should shame them, let's all get a nice long look at the fraudsters.
54 - kel and aidan's mom
I really feel terrible for the Higgins. The horribly cruel "people" who took them in may have done them a favor by giving them a home at first, but those monsters have, essentially, left those poor children "orphaned" once again. As a mother, I wouldn't care if those children were biologically mine or not. They are still in my home, still looking for my guidance and love, and still needing me. The children will wind up in far better shape then if they had stayed with the family, and the family will get what's coming to them. What goes around, comes around. And the Lord works in mysterious ways.
And as for no. 31, please don't use such language. It is not appropriate or called for.
55 - Momx3
This is unbelievable. How atrocious!!!! Those people should be ashamed of themselves. Church going people? I think not. If they were members of my church I'd get everyone together to tell them they were no longer welcome. A Christian would have left and let the children stay in that home and given it over to them. Of course if Extreme Makeover had just put the house in the oldest Higgins child's name this wouldn't be an issue. I think the show ought to put clauses in their contract for situations like this one so that if a family takes in an orphaned child that the house will automatically go to that child if that family decides they don't want to care for them anymore. I am appalled that these people have done this to these children. They lost their parents, this family took them in, they got a dream house built for all of them and then the family decided not to care for them anymore and kicked them out and now they don't have a family or a house. PATHETIC! ABHORRENT BEHAVIOR! It just makes me sick. My thoughts and prayers are with those children and I hope they win their case. What happened to morals????? There ought to be someway to get those people out of the house since it was built specifically for the Higgins children. Is there no loophole somewhere? Technically that home was built for them, not this wonderful Christian family who decided to take them in out of the kindness of their heart. Guess that family pulled one over on Extreme Makeover as a way of getting themselves a big, brand new house. SHAME, SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God Bless you Higgins children. Hang in there. Everybody who's anybody will be on your side on this one.
56 - John
Kerry was also a Christian. Case and point.
57 - Justene
I think 3 were minors. The eldest was guardian for them. From the Court of Appeal decision, it appears that the producer met for an hour with the host couple only. The host couple stepped out and handed the 24 single-spaced page contract to the eldest, who signed it in "5 or 10" minutes, not enough time to read it.
The Court of Appeal was very very clear though that they were throwing out only the arbitration clause, not the whole contract, though.
58 - trumpeter
If I were to say hateful things about Jewish, Islamic, African-American, or gay people as several of you have said about these supposed Christians, I would be condemned as intolerant and bigoted. Why is it OK to bash Christians when it is unacceptable to bash anyone else?
59 - ConcernedMom
What a gready thing to do for the family that took them in. The only reason that the family got their mortgage paid off and a new home was because of the 5 kids. They always say what comes around goes around, I hope so. Unfortunately not soon enough for the 5 children. I do really hope that the family who took them in really, really has to pay. I hope now that the 5 children keep their faith that not everybody is like that! I hope the best for the 5 children. How wonderful they are with all there tragedy that they are still together. Take it one day at a time, and something will workout.
60 - John
Lets just keep this simple, what goes around comes around. The show should step in and do whats right by building the Higgins another home. That is what the shows all about, right? And if Karma plays its part then the former host family's shiny new deck out home will burn down.
61 - angie
Well there's your church people for you. I know that statement will probably get me flogged, but it seems to be a pattern as of late on these shows. First it was the florida family on the Amazing Race that showed their true colors, now its the the Fogals on Treasure Hunters. I wonder how they sleep at night?
62 - anonymous
Welcome to almost reality TV. Although it is unfortunate, it was not unscripted. the Higgins were evected before the show aired, but the producers choose the "Happy Ending". I am sure the producers wish this would just "go away", they are at fault for not revealing the truth. Maybe they will decide to air this saga on an episode of The Peoples Court, or Oprah.
63 - Angelo
WOW! I feel really bad for those kids. They were promised a home, a family and an opportunity to live a full normal life like we most of us have. The family that did this should be very guilty and ashamed for what they have done to these kids. And I also think that ABC should do something about this, putting there financial greedy minds aside to do something that is humanly and morally right. These kids are victims and they do not deserve such wrongful treatment.
64 - Megan
Here's some more information on the lawsuit, including an interview with the eldest Higgins child.
65 - Erika
I believe in Karma and what comes around goes around. Shame on that family for using someones elses tragedy for their personal gain. They will get what is coming to them eventually.
66 - stan
although this sounds terrible, we haven't been given the whole story. many of you seem to be condemning this family without knowing all the facts. they may be bad people, but they may also have valid reasons. i think we should get the complete story with boths sides arguments before we start name calling.
67 - Don
Hmmm - has anyone heard the OTHER side of the story? Maybe the Higgins kids were absolute, horrible destructive brats who beat up the family's kids, etc etc - maybe they had a reason and everyone is jumping to conclusions too quickly??
68 - Golexx
Let's go burn their house down. ;)
69 - amc8764
I think that the Higgins will rise in the end. Be the better people. And it is true, what goes around comes around. For #31, you can say things without the bad words.
70 - trumpeter
Does anyone care to comment on #59?
71 - Linda
I love this show, but this is so sad that someone would do this to these kids. This house was built because of them. Kick out the family and let the Higgins kids move back it, for had it not been for them this house would have never been built. I hope this couple realizes just how selfish and stupid they actually are.
72 - Rich
I think that the real suite should be with the owning family. They are the ones who made the implicit promise to take the Higgin's family into their home. Maybe a lesson learned by ABC and other families they help, is to make sure every possible (with reasonable probability) outcome is covered in the contract. This is one of the cases that involves two families and one home. Advice for future episodes, be careful about who you are actually helping and make it clear up front.
73 - Dusk12
People like those are fake and deserve no affection; I hope the Higgins do win their case and get the house back...they deserve it!
74 - Vic
I used to visit this site a lot, as a matter of fact I was contributor. I came here from popurls.com because I was interested in the Home Makeover story, but reading the comments in this thread remind me why I left and still stay away from this site. I think you'd actually have to find an athiest themed website to see a more hateful group of people when it comes to Christianity.
Vic
75 - T Leigh
we can ask why and will never recv an answer. The truth is that there is no rhyme or reason just the fact as other comments stated that there is dishonesty everywhere and just think How can they sleep at night. Sick. Just sick.