A childless Missouri couple told neighbors they had critically ill sextuplets so they so they would receive money and gifts. On Wednesday they pleaded guilty of stealing by deceit, and now they have to repay $3,700 in donations they received and perform 40 hours of community service.

Kris and Sarah Everson received an a large amount of donations after a local newspaper in Grain Valley, MO, published a story about their sick children.

People soon started began to get suspicious, however, because nobody ever saw any children.

Grain Valley Police Chief Aaron Ambrose tells Reuters, "They (the Eversons)said there were circumstances beyond their control -- essentially a family member was after them -- that prevented them from having the children all together or for anyone to see them."

Jackson County's Prosecutor's office says the couple will not serve jail time if they stay out of any further legal trouble over the next four years.