San Francisco Father Faces Scrutiny After Children Found in Enclosure, Sparks Debate on Older Parenthood

San Francisco, CA – Child Protective Services (CPS) in San Francisco recently removed two six-year-old twin boys from their SoMa apartment after they were found in a "human-size cage," prompting an immediate investigation and raising questions about child welfare and the implications of older parenthood. The incident, which came to light through a social media post by Jennifer Sey, a prominent critic of San Francisco's child welfare policies, has ignited a public debate.

The father, identified as "Raymond" by the SF Standard to protect his family's privacy as he has not been charged, is 74 years old and reportedly a hoarder. He acquired the twins through IVF and surrogacy when he was 68. According to the police scanner, a CPS worker found the children in an enclosed, human-sized structure that the father maintains is a loft bedroom with a custom-built gate, not a cage.

Raymond defended his actions, stating he spent "tens of thousands of dollars" on the enclosure, which he locks for approximately 30 minutes at a time when he is downstairs, primarily to ensure the safety of one of his neurodivergent sons who is prone to "furious tantrums" and has run out of the apartment previously. "To be fair, it does look like a cage," Raymond conceded, but asserted it was a measure to keep his child safe. Neighbors expressed surprise, describing Raymond as an "excellent caretaker" and the children as "happy and healthy."

The case has drawn attention to the ethical considerations surrounding assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for older individuals. While most countries do not have strict legal upper age limits for IVF, many clinics and guidelines, particularly for women, suggest limits due to health risks and success rates. For men, while sperm quality declines with age, there is generally no strict upper age limit for IVF, though some guidelines suggest evaluation for men over 55.

Ethical discussions often weigh reproductive autonomy against the child's welfare, considering potential health limitations or reduced parental longevity. The Swedish Council on Medical Ethics, for instance, recommends individual assessments rather than strict age limits, emphasizing that at least one parent should be young enough to care for the child until adulthood. Critics, like Jennifer Sey, question the permissibility of older individuals becoming parents through ART, stating, > "Whatever your feelings are about IVF and/or surrogacy, why on earth would a 68 year old man be allowed to do this? It's grotesque."

The twins are currently in an emergency foster home in Oakland and are reportedly experiencing "intense separation anxiety." Raymond has met with CPS and plans to argue for the return of his children at an upcoming family court hearing, vowing to hire a cleaning company and no longer lock the gate. He acknowledged underestimating the work involved in raising children but expressed no regrets, stating, "I love them."