Rod Blanchard’s story is inextricably linked to one of the most notorious cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in recent history. As Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s father, his journey from a teenage husband to a supportive father during and after his daughter’s imprisonment reveals a complex tale of family, deception, and redemption.
Early Years and Marriage to Dee Dee
Relationship Background
Rod and Dee Dee first met when he was in high school, and they dated for four to six months. At the time, Rod was just 17 years old, while Dee Dee was 24. Their marriage was precipitated by Dee Dee’s pregnancy with Gypsy.
The marriage quickly deteriorated by the time Rod turned 18. As he later recalled, “I woke up on my birthday, on my 18th birthday, and realized I wasn’t where I was supposed to be.” He admitted that he “wasn’t in love with her” and had “got married for the wrong reasons.” Their separation occurred shortly before Gypsy’s birth on July 27, 1991.
During Gypsy’s Years of Abuse
Suspicions and Concerns
As Dee Dee maintained primary custody of Gypsy, Rod was largely unaware of the extent of Dee Dee’s abuse. The first signs of trouble emerged when Gypsy was just three months old, as Dee Dee became convinced that the baby had sleep apnea. This was the beginning of a pattern that would escalate over the years.
Rod maintained close contact with Gypsy until she was about 10 years old, but the relationship became strained as Dee Dee moved away with Gypsy and began lying about her daughter’s true age. In one particularly telling incident, Rod called Gypsy on her 18th birthday, hoping to make “dad jokes” about her becoming an adult, only to have Dee Dee intercept the call to remind him that Gypsy “thinks she’s 14.”
Role in the Aftermath
After Dee Dee’s death in 2015, Rod began uncovering the full extent of how Gypsy had been a victim of Munchausen by proxy. In a 2017 interview with PEOPLE, he admitted they were “still learning and amazed at some of the things that went on.” In the HBO documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” Rod spoke candidly about Gypsy’s crime while acknowledging the circumstances that led to it, stating, “Yeah, it’s wrong, and there were other options that Gypsy had — which she tried some of those avenues and they didn’t work out.” He even noted that Dee Dee “asked for what she got.”
Rod’s Life Today
Personal Life and Family
Following his divorce from Dee Dee, Rod married his current wife, Kristy. During Gypsy’s early years, both Rod and Kristy maintained a close relationship with her, attending various events together, including the Special Olympics. Kristy has been supportive throughout, appearing alongside Rod in the documentary “Mommy Dead and Dearest.” Since Gypsy’s release from prison, she has developed a close relationship with her stepmother, even sharing social media moments together.
Rod and Kristy have expanded their family, having two other children, including Gypsy’s stepsister Mia. The family’s unity was evident at Gypsy’s homecoming party following her release from prison, where she posted a photo with Mia captioned “Sister Love 💕”.
Current Relationship with Gypsy
Following her release from prison in December 2023, Gypsy has been enjoying “family time” and reconnecting with her father. Rod was present at her homecoming party when she was released after serving an eight-year sentence.
During her imprisonment, Rod maintained his support for Gypsy, telling PEOPLE in 2017, “She’ll always have a home here,” and promising to “put her on the right path.”
Today, Rod Blanchard stands as a testament to parental love and resilience, having transformed from a distant figure in Gypsy’s life to one of her strongest supporters. His story demonstrates the complexity of family relationships and the possibility of healing even after the most traumatic circumstances.
Let me continue with the remainder of the detailed article about what happened to Gypsy Rose’s teeth:
Major Dental Procedures
Gypsy Rose’s dental issues were directly connected to her mother’s medical abuse. Her teeth rotted and were eventually pulled out, which may have been caused by a combination of factors including her medications, missing salivary glands (which had been surgically removed), and general neglect.
Recent Dental Developments
Current Dental Status
Her dental condition significantly impacted her appearance, as she was noted to have a “nearly toothless mouth” along with other distinctive features like large glasses and a high, childlike voice. The loss of her teeth became one of the many visible signs of the extensive medical abuse she endured.
In a positive development for her dental health, Gypsy Rose is now healthy and living in Louisiana. After her release from prison in December 2023, she has begun a new chapter in her life, which includes becoming a new mother to a baby girl named Aurora, born on December 28, 2024.
Impact on Her Life
Physical Effects
The impact of her dental issues extended beyond just oral health. Her mother, who had some nurse’s training, was able to accurately describe symptoms and manipulated medical professionals. She was also charming and seemed devoted to her daughter, which helped her maintain control over Gypsy’s medical narrative, including her dental care.
Emotional Impact
Gypsy Rose had been conditioned to believe that no one would believe her about any aspect of her medical condition. As she later explained, “I couldn’t just jump out of the wheelchair, because I was afraid and I didn’t know what my mother would do. I didn’t have anyone to trust.” This same fear and conditioning applied to her dental situation as well.
Treatment Options and Future
While in prison, Gypsy Rose stated she enjoyed more freedom than in the life she shared with her mother. Since her release, she has continued to grapple with her feelings about her mother and her past. She has been working on healing and moving forward with her life.
FAQs About Gypsy Rose’s Teeth
Q: Why did Gypsy Rose lose her teeth?
A: Her teeth were removed after they rotted, potentially due to a combination of medications, missing salivary glands, and neglect.
Q: What kind of dental work does Gypsy Rose currently have?
A: Since her release from prison, Gypsy Rose is healthy and living in Louisiana, though specific details about her current dental work are not publicly available.
Q: Has she received any recent dental treatment?
A: While she has made numerous media appearances since her release, including television interviews, information about specific dental treatments has not been publicly disclosed.
Conclusion
The story of Gypsy Rose’s dental issues serves as a stark reminder of the extensive medical abuse she endured at the hands of her mother. Experts believe her mother suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy (officially called factitious disorder imposed on another), which led her to fabricate and induce illness in her daughter to receive attention and sympathy. Today, as Gypsy Rose builds a new life after her release from prison, her dental history remains a testament to the physical and emotional trauma she survived.
