A US couple who lied about giving birth to a set of sextuplets has apologised for the scheme aimed at tapping neighbours' generosity.

Sarah and Kris Everson of Grain Valley, Missouri were initially unapologetic, but today a teary-eyed Sarah Everson faced reporters in the driveway of her home.

"We're sorry for everything we did," she said.

Her husband, Kris Everson, called the public attention and police investigation "very stressful" and vowed to pay back those who sent money or other items.

"We didn't mean to hurt anybody," he said.

"We did it out of financial reasons."

The couple could face criminal charges for collecting cash and other gifts after going public with a story of six newborn babies clinging to life.

Police were still investigating a day after the Eversons admitted the hoax and said they were unsure how much help the couple received.

Grain Valley police chief Aaron Ambrose said detectives would seek records on donations made through a bank fund set up for the Eversons, a post office box established to receive mailed gifts and an online account that allowed visitors to the couple's website to give money.

As the couple told it, 45-year-old Sarah Everson's pregnancy came as a surprise discovered during a routine doctor's appointment.

As time passed, she said doctors kept finding more babies.

The births were said to have happened March 8, but the Eversons said they kept it hush because of a family dispute.

A story appeared on the front of The Examiner in Independence with a photograph of the couple holding six one-piece baby outfits and announcing the births.

Sarah Everson allowed a reporter into her home before the scandal broke.
She told of the surgeries two of the babies would undergo, detailed her discomfort during her pregnancy and even showed photographs of her baring a huge, pregnant-looking midsection.

"I want to be with them all the time," she said, breaking into tears. "I don't like being away from them."

Hours later, authorities said the woman and her 33-year-old husband were questioned by police and came clean. Ambrose said they expressed no remorse.

AP