Cheniya and Peter thought their dream of becoming parents had come true when they met Audrey online, who claimed to be a mom of four, an experienced surrogate and a nurse who would carry their child as a surrogate for $10,000.
Now, the couple faces Audrey for the first time since court, where Audrey, a 36-year-old mother, was convicted of two charges of theft, one charge of identity theft and two charges of using a computer to commit a crime.
Audrey explains, "I faked a surrogate pregnancy for the money. The plan was to take the deposit. It was non-refundable. Nobody was going to hurt, and that was going to be the end of it. I never intended on getting pregnant. I separated my feelings from it. I didn't consider anyone else in this situation."
She says she sent pictures of her own kids, pretending they were the children she had been a surrogate for previously, downloaded a sample contract, had the couple sign it, and then collected a specimen from Peter.
"I had no intentions of using it," says Audrey, who was in a hurry to go on a family vacation so she threw the specimen in the trash. Audrey says she spent the entire deposit of $2,500 while on vacation, so she continued to collect monthly payments from the couple rather than telling them she had miscarried, as she originally planned.
"I was so disconnected at that point that, I really didn't think I was doing anything wrong," Audrey reveals. "It was extremely difficult to keep the lies going. It spiraled out of control."
In the video above, Dr. Phil brings the couple and Audrey together. Peter shouts at Audrey: "You lying bitch! How could you do that? You destroyed our lives."
Audrey responds, "I am sorry for what I've done. I'm taking responsibility ... You guys have no idea what was going on in my life, and I'm sorry ... I am sorry, I truly am ... I was broken at the time. I was taking a lot of pills. I didn't know what to do."
But Peter doesn't accept it.
On Wednesday's episode of Dr. Phil, will Peter and Cheniya forgive Audrey? And, advice for anyone who may be considering a surrogate pregnancy. Watch more here.