FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KELLI STAPLETON, THE MICHIGAN MOTHER WHO ATTEMPTED TO KILL HERSELF AND HER AUTISTIC DAUGHTER SPEAKS ONLY TO DR. PHIL FROM PRISON, IN AN EXCLUSIVE TWO-PART INTERVIEW AIRING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 AND TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

(Hollywood, CA – September 12, 2014) – DR. PHIL, television’s #1-rated syndicated daytime talk show, continues its ripped-from-the-headlines stories with an exclusive two-part interview with Kelli Stapleton, the Michigan mother who recently pled guilty to a felony charge of first-degree child abuse after she attempted to kill her autistic daughter and herself.  Part 1 airs Monday, September 15 and part 2 airs Tuesday, September 16 (check local listings).

Stapleton’s 14-year-old daughter Issy’s severe case of autism left her unable to control her violent outbursts and she often physically harmed her mother. After years of abuse at the hands of her very own daughter, the devoted mother felt that she had run out of options. In September 2013, inside a closed van, Kelli lit charcoal grills while both were inside so they could “go to heaven.” They survived.

In her only media interview, Kelli speaks with Dr. Phil from prison in Michigan about what really happened that fateful day. She also explains how a loving mother could possibly think murder/suicide was the only option, and shockingly reveals the time Issy knocked her out, rendering her completely unconscious while driving.

In part two, airing Tuesday, September 16, Kelli reveals to Dr. Phil if she misses anything about her former life, if she ever would want to reunite with her family, and if she seeks Issy’s forgiveness. Also, Kelli’s husband Matt talks about how Issy and his two other children are doing today, how they are coping with this tragic situation, and why he’s filed for divorce from his wife.

Select quotes from the episodes:

•  “I want something good to come from all of this. And I think you’re just the man to do it.” – Kelli on why she agreed to speak to Dr. Phil.

•  “The jail in Benzie County has been a much kinder warden than the jail of autism has been.” – Kelli on her life at home.

DR. PHIL was created by Harpo Productions, is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution and is distributed by CBS Television Distribution, a unit of CBS Corp. Carla Pennington and Dr. Phillip C. McGraw are the executive producers. Angie Kraus is co-executive producer.

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Web: drphil.com

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Clips are now available at: http://cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/shows/dr-phil/video                                    

Above photo: Dr. Phil McGraw with Kelli Stapleton. Photo is available in high resolution on CBS Press Express.

Please credit photo and footage to CBS Television Distribution / Peteski Productions.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Stacey Luchs                                      Neil Schubert

SVP, Communications                        VP, Communications

DR. PHIL                                             DR. PHIL

323-956-3357                                      323-956-3405

Stacey.Luchs@cbs.com                           Neil.Schubert@cbs.com