Friday, 3 April 2009

Charlie Sheen's baby son remains hospitalized

Actor's newborn isn't home yet

Charlie Sheen is engaged to Brooke Mueller

Charlie Sheen and his wife, Broke Mueller Sheen

At just over 2 weeks old, Max Sheen is already in the spotlight as questions swirl about why he has yet to leave the L.A. hospital where he was born – along with his brother Bob – on March 14.

'Charlie and Brooke's infant son Max remains in the hospital, not because of a heart condition as reported, but because he has not gained the weight necessary to leave the hospital,' Sheen's publicist, Stan Rosenfield, says in a statement. 'Max is expected to reach the weight requirement shortly and will join his brother at home.'

Proud papa Sheen jokes that his son is suffering from a common affliction: aversion to hospital food.

'The weight issue is very common among infants who were born before reaching full term,' Sheen says. 'I know a lot of people are not fond of hospital food; I just didn't realize that they started so young.'

Max and Bob were the first for Sheen, 43, and wife Brooke Mueller Sheen, 31. The Two and a Half Men actor has daughters, Sam, 4, and Lola, 3, with ex-wife Denise Richards, and another, 24-year-old Cassandra, from a previous marriage.

'The Sheens appreciate the outpouring of concern,' his rep says, 'but have assured everyone that both Bob and Max are fine.'