Mom-of-5 obsessed with tanning was accused of “burning” her 6-year-old in a tanning booth

In 2012, Patricia Krentcil gained notoriety after being accused of endangering children. In fact, readers may be more familiar with her as “Tan Mom” due to her obsession with frequenting tanning salons and spending time in the booth five days a week.

Eventually, Patricia came dangerously close to passing away because to the contentious condition known as tanerexia, which occurs when a person doesn’t recognize or accept how much color they have. Though she continues to visit the salon, she is now doing much better.

“Tan Mom” has endured a lot over the past ten years. Here is how she seems right now!

Obsession with anything, whether it be eating, shopping, television shows, or anything else, is rarely a beneficial habit to form. Of course, some things are worse for your health than others, but ultimately, it’s important to understand the long-term effects an obsession may have on one’s life.

It’s usually a good idea to see someone if you ever feel like something is starting to dominate your life or that you are placing an obsession above other crucial aspects of your regular existence. Try speaking with a friend or getting support from a counselor.

Patricia Krentcil – ‘Tan Mom’

Patricia Krentcil’s fascination propelled her to internet stardom. She began tanning when she was younger, and it soon became to be a significant part of her life. When Patricia went on trial for bringing her daughter to a tanning parlor in 2012, she instantly became an internet sensation. Although she was never found guilty, her name was already well-known.

She now tans more healthfully, but her time spent in the booth had a significant impact on her life and appearance.

When Patricia was only 23 years old, she developed a tanning fetish. According to the owner of City Tropics Tanning Salon in Nutley, New Jersey, the New Jersey woman averaged five visits each week for a maximum session length of 12 minutes. She paid $100 a month for an unlimited package.

“I’ve been tanning my whole life, going to the beach, tanning salons and so forth,” she said.

However, it wasn’t her tanning that originally made her a household name online. Her image was widely shared online in 2012, but for a completely different cause.

Krentcil was accused with endangering children in May 2012. According to authorities, she put her 6-year-old kid in a stand-up tanning booth, causing burns, as CBS New York reported.

Charged after brining daughter tanning

Patricia, though, asserted that everything was a massive misunderstanding. She was adamant that she would never take Anna, her daughter, to the salon.

“No not at all, not at all, not whatsoever,” Krentcil said.

However, the Nutley Police Department detained Krentcil and accused him of endangering children. The toddler allegedly received a minor burn in the tanning salon where she had taken Anna with her, according to the authorities.

According to ABC, New Jersey law prohibits anyone under the age of 14 from using a tanning bed. Teens older than 14 could visit salons, but only with permission from their parents.

In Anna’s case, the controversy began when a school nurse happened to ask Anna how she had gotten burned, to which the girl answered: “I go tanning with mommy.” Patricia, though, claimed that Anna had been burned after playing outside in their backyard.

“There’s not room… I would never permit it… It didn’t happen,” Krentcil said.

“She’s 6 years old. Yes, she does go tanning with mommy, but not in the booth,” she added. “The whole thing’s preposterous!”

Patricia at that moment earned the moniker “Tan Mom” in the media. Patricia’s face was on newscasts and in newspapers all around the world after the purported incident went viral online.

“They just don’t realize just how much color they have”

Additionally, it clarified the contentious condition known as tanorexia, in which a person develops a dependence on and obsession with tanning.

“When you look at this, this is somebody who has a problem which most likely has a condition called tanerexia, where they just don’t realize just how much color they have,” New York dermatologist Doris Day told ABC News.

“There’s really no excuse to take a young child to a tanning salon,” she added.

“We often consider going to a tanning salon the equivalent of smoking for the skin and the younger you start, those effects are cumulative.”

Health professionals concurred that Patricia’s situation was quite serious. Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner thought it was one of the craziest situations he had ever encountered.

“In all my years of treating patients as a dermatologist, I have never encountered anything like this,” Zeichner said.

“Going to a tanning salon 20 times a month, frankly, is insane, especially with all of the public education and awareness campaigns on the dangers of tanning beds and skin cancers.”

“It may be she has an [obsession with] tanning, which actually now has a name – tanorexia. She may need help to treat not only the damage to her skin but also what is going on with her psychologically,” he added.

‘Tan Mom’ faced up to 10 years in prison

The Skin Care Foundation claims that people who use indoor tanning equipment have a four-fold increased risk of developing melanoma. Sunbeds emit 12 to 15 times more UV radiation than the sun, according to the foundation.

Patricia, according to Dr. Zeichner, has body dysmorphic disorder, which is characterized by a persistent dissatisfaction with one’s own looks.

“Patients like this are constantly having elective cosmetic procedures – either surgeries, laser treatments or Botox and fillers,” he explained. “Which also includes those who are addicted to tan skin.”

Even though “Tan Mom” was released on $25,000 bail, Patricia faced up to 10 years in prison if she was convicted.

“She never went in,” Patricia maintained of her daughter in 2012. “It was beautiful out, and they went into the kiddie pool. She’s a redhead. She got sunburnt.”

She further argued that tanning was a personal, harmless hobby that only had an impact on her.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. Is there something wrong about getting your nails done or somebody who smokes too much or somebody who overeats?” Krentcil asked.

“If this was such a problem, why wasn’t this said years ago?”

Cleared of charges – moved to Florida

Patricia was exonerated of child endangerment in February 2013. According to the prosecution, a grand jury declined to indict her. Even though she was legally excused, mothers all across the nation still criticizing her parenting. In response, Patricia referred to them as ugly and overweight.

“There’s somebody out there for my whole life that doesn’t like me because they are jealous, fat and they’re ugly,” the mom said.

“Look in the mirror and look at yourself instead of looking at me. I’m sorry I’m tan. I like to be tan. It just feels good. But I really that think these moms … need to step off and step away.”

The mother of five went viral, but her celebrity turned out to be a nightmare. She was followed by the press and paparazzi, made fun of by Kim Kardashian, and included in a Saturday Night Live skit.

It finally got to be too much. She began drinking, so the family made the decision to move to Tampa, Florida, for a fresh start.

Ashley, 18, Alec, 17, and Austin, 15, who were still teenagers at the time, according to Patricia Krentcil, were “badgered at school” as a result of the incident. ‘Tan Mom’ desired to profit from her notoriety. After the charges were dropped and a year had passed, Patricia “Tan Mom” Krentcil made the decision to share her side of the story.

She stated in an interview with In Touch that she intended to star in a film that would “portray everything that’s happened.” She wanted to capitalize on her sudden celebrity since she had thousands of dollars in legal costs to pay and because her husband Rich was unemployed.

Patricia also intended to create a book and launch her own brand of tan lotions, “Real Tan Mom Healthy Glow,” in addition to the movie. She added that she had been inundated with modeling opportunities in Paris, London, and New York.

“‘It’s not even near being over,” she said about her moment in the spotlight. “Everyone wants me. I have a lot of other opportunities, so I’m just trying to figure out where to move my family.”

Then, in June 2019, “Tan Mom” came close to losing her life.

Adam Barta, Patricia’s friend, said in a statement to US Weekly that she was in severe condition as a result of pneumonia complications. To be by her side, the whole family moved to Florida.

“Currently, she is still on life support (via the intubator) and in a medically induced sleep until her heart are lungs are strong enough to handle functioning on their own,” Barta told US Weekly.

“The fluid is draining from her lungs and she is improving today but she is definitely not out of the woods.”

This is ‘Tan Mom’ today – pictures

“They are feeding her very strong antibiotics to kill the infection as well so her system is taking quite a hit. I personally believe last night was the most critical turning point, and she made it so she will only continue to get better. The current plan is to try to extubate and revive her tomorrow or Tuesday, provided she maintains this trajectory,” he added.

Patricia experienced a cardiac attack, was found to have pneumonia, pancreatitis, and an infection that had spread to her lungs, it was subsequently discovered.

Fortunately, Patricia survived, and it seems like she’s doing better than ever now. Although the scars from her past tanning are obvious, she smiles and seems pleased in photos from her Instagram.

She discussed her past with the NY Post in April 2021, claiming that she doesn’t dwell on the situation with her daughter and the tanning parlor. She now embraces her status as a “Tan Mom” rather than trying to hide it.

She also said that she still tans twice a week in her own tanning bed.

“It doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s two separate people,” Patricia explained to The Post.

“There’s Tan Mom, celebrity, and then there’s Patricia Marie, Mom.”

Your thoughts on this story are welcome. Are tanning salons something that should be allowed or should they all be shut down, in your opinion? Post a comment with your thoughts if you have any.

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