After watching Forrest Atwood-McKenzie propose to his girlfriend Sheena Penaranda on the most recent episode of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Forrest’s mom Molly Atwood-Frank took to Facebook to address the long-standing rumor that she is Forrest’s caregiver.
On Wednesday, Molly introduced herself in the Facebook group 90 Day Fiance News & Gossip, posting a photo of her husband Dev Frank, Forrest and Sheena. Molly explained to the group in her post that she is “still not able to discuss anything related to the show” due to her NDA; however, she said she needed to “address one specific rumor that has gotten out of hand.”
“There is a completely false claim circulating that I am Forrest’s caregiver or that I receive or have received any kind of financial support or compensation from Forrest or Sheena,” she wrote. “This is simply not true.”
Molly went on to explain that “the only caregiving [her and Dev] ever provided was when [Forrest] was a minor, as any parent would,” and insisted that she has not been designated as her son’s caregiver, nor has she acted as one, since Forrest became an adult.
“We worked very hard to raise him to be independent and self-sufficient and we are very proud of him for achieving that,” she continued, adding that Forrest has been independent from his parents since he was 20 years-old.
Another rumor that has been circulating among “90 Day Fiancé” fans is that Molly uses the money Forrest receives as disability payments. (Forrest confirmed in a recent episode that he does not have a job back home in Oregon due to his struggles with autism, but rather relies on disability checks.) Molly wholeheartedly denied this, writing, “We have never received financial support, financial assistance, or any type of payment connected to Forrest – not from him, not for him, and not from anyone else on his behalf.”
She urged fans, “ … don’t believe everything you read online,” and reminded them that they can always reach out to the family if they have any questions, as long as the questions aren’t pertaining to the show.
Although she cleared the air about her role in Forrest’s life, fans were still quick to share their opinions on Molly’s involvement in Forrest’s relationship with Sheena.
“You may not be providing financially for him but you sure do over-meddle in his life,” one viewer wrote. “For Christ sake, you took him to a sex shop.” (And yes, that did happen.)
Despite the many questionable decisions Molly has made throughout her time on the show, many fans are seeing her statement as damage control for the outburst she displayed after Forrest revealed that he and Sheena were engaged.
For those who missed Molly’s reaction to the news, she sarcastically told her son she was “ecstatic” for him, before completely laying into him.
“I asked you to hold off and wait so she could prove herself, and then you go walk up and pull this little sneaky sh*t,” she said. “If you are not gonna be willing to listen, what the f**k am I doing sitting over here in this country then, Forrest?”
While Forrest called his mom a “stubborn a**” who “[doesn’t] want to accept [their] happiness,” Molly ended the episode by continuing to berate her son.
“Don’t you think it would’ve been f**king nice if you would have included us?” she asked. “Now she’s got the whole cat in the bag, doesn’t she? Your life, Forrest, it’s over.”
One fan commented on Molly’s post, writing, “The way you responded when they told you they were engaged was horrific. It was exciting and you ruined it for them. Shame on you!”
Others have shared the sentiment that Molly may have posted this clarification to avoid discussing her reaction to Forrest and Sheena’s engagement.
New episodes of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days” air Sundays on TLC.
RELATED STORY: “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” Star Johny Fernandes Welcomes Baby Girl with Girlfriend Emily
(Photos: TLC; Facebook; Instagram)
7 Responses
The mom is meddling into their lives because Forrest has yet to grow a pair, be a man and stand up to her. While he may living independently, he is definitely still dependent on mommy for everything else. I don’t think he will ever detach from his mother. Sheena deserves better and I hope she realizes that someday so that she can find a better man that will stand up for her.
How is he independent when he lives of our taxes and clearly looks able-bodied and can work.
Whether he looks able-bodied or not, there are many employers out there who will not hire someone who has been diagnosed with Autism.
Molly is definitely a bit over the top; however, any parent who knows there’s been a pattern of lying from a future daughter/son-in-law is going to be worried. I think there is genuine love between Forrest and Sheena, but they have to deal with their issues (including Molly’s meddling) before they get married.
His mom does need to step back a bit but I do understand that she’s looking out for him and I can see why. I hope Sheena will be honest going forward. I would like to see things work out for those two. Forrest is my favorite on that show by far. I’m pretty much watching just to see how his story turns out.
Dev is my spirit animal.