'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Controversy: Family Gives Away Foster Children After Reality TV Renovation Project

A North Carolina couple gave away their five foster children after an appearance on the ABC series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” James and Devonda Friday received a home makeover in part because of their large foster family. But the children said they were removed from the newly renovated household one by one after the 2012 episode.

The Friday siblings believe their foster mother was motivated by money. Not only did the family receive a home makeover, but producers also donated thousands of dollars worth of items and paid the rent on the home.

One of the elder foster siblings, Chris Friday, claimed his foster parents said he was being temporarily sent away to live in a group home due to his bad attitude. "What they did to us was just wrong. (They) threw us all out," he told a local news station. "I know it was all about the money. From the first day, it was all about the money."

The “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” episode that aired in December 2012 featured the family’s North Carolina 3,900 square foot home. The family took in the siblings after being told they were living in separate foster homes and the Fridays wanted them all together. They then turned their carport into a bedroom for all of the siblings but the makeover gave them separate rooms.

A few months after her brother’s departure from the home, Kamaya Friday was told a similar story about being temporarily sent away and was moved into a different group home. "You gave me away. Parents don't do that. No," she stated.

The three younger siblings, a boy and two girls, were said to be around the age of five when they were removed from the home later that year.

James Friday denied that money influenced their decision and told a local news station that the donations were given to a church to use for mission trips. “Listen, no one kicked Chris or Kamaya out of the home, OK?” Friday stated. “We’ve done no wrong.”

A year after removing the siblings from the home, the Fridays attempted to regain custody but were denied.

“I felt like they were my mom and dad. I loved them like they were my real parents,” Chris Friday stated.