Father of Siamese Twins Fights Jail Time

The father of Siamese twins who were separated last month denied to a judge Friday that he violated his probation by using drugs and alcohol.

As Kenneth Lakeberg left the Newton County Courthouse, one of his relatives yelled: “You’re nothing but scum.”

The relatives are still fuming over a fight last Christmas in which Lakeberg wounded a cousin with a butcher knife. Lakeberg was sentenced to a year of probation. He now faces a year in jail if the judge finds that he violated that probation.

In June, Lakeberg tested positive for cocaine. Probation officer Brian Mathis said Lakeberg admitted using cocaine, marijuana and alcohol, and he recommended that Lakeberg’s probation be revoked.

Lakeberg, 26, appeared before Superior Court Judge Daniel Molter and denied violating probation. The judge scheduled another hearing for Oct. 15.

“I just want to get out of this trouble and go get some help,” Lakeberg said before the hearing, referring to his drug and alcohol problems. “I don’t want to go to jail. I’m scared. I just want to be with my family.”

Lakeberg also has admitted going on a cocaine binge with $1,300 in charitable contributions raised for his daughters, Angela and Amy Lakeberg.

The Siamese twins were born June 29 in suburban Chicago, sharing a heart and liver tissue. They were separated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia last month in an operation that killed Amy.

Angela, who was given less than a 1% chance of living, was in critical but stable condition Friday.

Inside the courthouse Friday, Lakeberg told the judge he planned to repay various expenses with money from a pending movie deal. He said he was hoping for $125,000 from a made-for-television movie.

Outside the courthouse, he apologized to his 26-year-old cousin, Jeffrey Lynn. It was the first time they had met since the Dec. 25 brawl. But he was taunted by Lynn’s wife and sister, who yelled at Lakeberg.

Lynn, who has a large scar across the top of his right hand, said he wants Lakeberg to pay him about $4,600 he lost while out of work for three months with the injury. Lakeberg said he would pay.

“He’s got a good heart and he’s a good man, but the drug and alcohol abuse--he could really hurt someone,” Lynn said.