Awesome - Couple Faces Public Backlash After Giving Up Their Son For Questionable Reasons
A horrid predicament burdened Myka and James Stauffer after they adopted a child from China: They were in over their heads, and they questioned whether they were the right fit for their fresh-faced little boy. Nevertheless, they documented their whole adoption journey for everyone on YouTube to see. That's why people started asking questions when, without announcement, the little boy stopped appearing in family videos.
Myka and James Stauffer
YouTuber Myka Stauffer and her husband, James Stauffer, produce videos that share lifestyle and parenting tips, as well as their own family dynamic. These kinds of content creators, called "family vloggers," are criticized for exploiting their children for views and cash.
Big Announcement
But Myka and James, who are now parents to four biological children, received a wave of scrutiny after a certain incident had people questioning their motives. The story began in July 2016, when Myka uploaded a video to her channel titled "BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! || BABY #4."
First-Time Adoptive Parents
On Myka's channel, the couple disclosed they were looking to adopt their fourth child. Myka explained that "the United States and Africa were parts where our hearts were originally interested in," regarding where to adopt from.
A Lengthy Journey
The Stauffers had every intention of letting their devoted subscribers in on the entirety of the adoption process. No, really; Myka uploaded a total of 27 videos to her channel regarding the ins and outs of their "adoption journey."
Adopting Huxley
They documented everything from fundraising efforts to learning the confusing international adoption laws. And while the Stauffers initially had their hearts set on the US or Africa, they wound up adopting a little boy from China. Named Huxley, this sweet little boy had special needs.
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Huxley's Medical Conditions
See, the adoption agency informed the Stauffers that Huxley sadly had a brain tumor and “brain damage." But when little Huxley finally arrived in the United States, Myka and James were met with some disquieting surprises.
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The Full Truth
It turned out that the adoption agency seemingly forgot to notify the Stauffers that Huxley had not only endured a stroke in utero, but also had been diagnosed with autism and a sensory processing disorder. Huxley's list of special needs nearly tripled, and Myka and James panicked.
Beautiful and Special
But despite the inner turmoil the couple faced, Myka spoke to the press as if everything was perfect. In a September 2019 Parade article, Myka described the international adoption process as "beautiful and special."
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Hardships and Hiccups
"Is there hardships and hiccups that you may not have faced being in the U.S.? Totally. However, you’re giving that child a future that would have never been possible," Myka continued. For years after the couple officially got their special boy, Myka uploaded YouTube videos dedicated to him.
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Sponsors Galore
The video titled “5 Things I Didn't EXPECT About Our China ADOPTION! International ADOPTION,” was sponsored by baby laundry detergent brand Dreft. Brands like Good American, Fabletics and Ibotta sponsored some of Myka's other videos. They were making a lot of money off of videos featuring Huxley.
Millions of Viewers
With loads of sponsors comes loads of cash, and though not every video featuring Huxley was monetized, they all garnered crazy amounts of views. The video titled "Huxley's EMOTIONAL Adoption VIDEO!! GOTCHA DAY China Adoption" amassed 5.5 million views. With the help of Huxley, they built their brand.
A Sudden Change
But it wasn't long before the super dedicated fans, who couldn't wait to see the newest adventures of Huxley and his new American family, were quick to notice the sudden halt of Instagram posts and YouTube videos featuring the little one. In May 2020, they found out why.
A Disconcerting Video
Myka uploaded a video to her channel featuring the couple looking pretty gosh darn sad. "For us, it's been really hard hearing from the medical professionals, a lot of their feedback, and things that have been upsetting. We've never wanted to be in this position," James began.
Needing More
"I think what Jim is trying to say is that after multiple assessments, after multiple evaluations, numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit and that (with) his medical needs, he needed more," Myka explained, looking heartbroken.
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Goodbye Huxley
"There's not an ounce of our body that doesn't love Huxley with all of our being," Myka clarified. "Do I feel like a failure as a mom? Like, 500%," she later said. When she explained that Huxley was living with a "new mommy" in a "forever home," people lost their minds.
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Broken Bonds
The Stauffers admitting to "rehoming" Huxley created a social media firestorm. Many viewers felt like the Stauffers had treated Huxley as if his conditions had made him unworthy of their time. The years-long bonds Huxley formed with his three siblings and somewhat-shoddy parents were sadly broken.
Social Media Firestorm
"What kind of person adopts a toddler into a family with other kids for YEARS, uses his likeness & story for profit and then quietly gets rid of him like a puppy because his special needs are 'too hard'??" Chondra Echert Sanchez wrote on Twitter.
"Great" Foster Care
While others were more sympathetic, most comments were similar to Chondra's. Writer and editor Sophie Ross always followed along on Huxley's journey, even staying in contact with people close to him. At the end of May, she notified her worried Twitter followers that he was "in a GREAT foster home."
Adoption, Take 2
"So apparently this foster family *is* in the process of officially adopting him, which is amazing news. It sounds like Huxley found a safe and loving permanent home and won’t be bouncing around or displaced again after this," Sophie continued on Twitter. The Stauffers still weren't let off the hook.
An Investigation
The Delaware County Sheriff's Office opened a case investigating the Stauffers after receiving a plethora of requests for a welfare check on Huxley. The Delaware County police closed the case once they met with Huxley's "prospective adoptive parents."
All Good Signs
Deputy Susanna Leonard relayed that Huxley "seemed very active and showed no signs of any abuse from what I could visually see." She continued, "When we walked into the office, [Huxley's] adoptive mother was singing a song to him as he was sitting on her lap smiling."
Lessons Learned
Once having well over 700,000 subscribers, Myka Stauffer's channel has dipped into the 600,000s and continues to fall. While we can only hope the Stauffers live a happy life with their biological children, Kova, Jaka, Radley and Onyx, many ex-fans have a different hope for the couple.
Adoption Secrets
These ex-fans hope Myka and James have learned lessons regarding child exploitation and the cost of making life-altering decisions. Adopting a child truly is a life-altering decision, especially when that child comes from the worst humanity has to offer.
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