The Sad Reason YouTuber Myka Stauffer Gave Up Her Son
YouTuber Myka Stauffer came to fame as the creator of The Stauffer Life vlog, where she shares insights into her day-to-day life as a parent. However, despite her advocacy for adoption and anti-bullying awareness, this mother is now facing an influx of hate speech herself, as she and her husband James have announced that the autistic child they adopted from China nearly three years ago has been rehomed.
As the couple revealed in their video update in late May 2020, "There [were] a lot more special needs that we weren't aware of, and that we were not told" when it came to their son Huxley. "For us, it's been really hard hearing from the medical professionals, a lot of their feedback, and things that have been upsetting," James told fans (via People). "We've never wanted to be in this position. And we've been trying to get his needs met and help him out as much as possible... We truly love him."
"There's not an ounce of our body that doesn't love Huxley with all of our being," Myka added. "There wasn't a minute that I didn't try our hardest, and 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 and James, who are also parents to four biological children, now face continued backlash for their controversial decision.
Myka Stauffer's fans aren't interested in 'advice from anyone who would do this'
During her YouTube announcement, Myka Stauffer said, "There's not an ounce of our body that doesn't love Huxley with all of our being," but that "numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit and that [with] his medical needs, he needed more." However, viewers were enraged by Myka and James' choice, and many took to social media to share their disgust and distrust as they moved to "cancel" the lifestyle influencer.
"Giving away one of my children isn't a viable option for me, though. Surely there are better methods of managing the obligations you willingly accepted. Frankly, I'm not interested in any kind of advice from anyone who would do this," @flower_maker wrote on Twitter. "Your child was too hard to handle? So you.... gave him back? Like.... a gift receipt. That poor sweet thing," @mik_taylorr added.
But, of course, these thoughts had already crossed Myka's mind. "Do I feel like a failure as a mom? Like, 500%," she explained. "So when I get insidious, hurtful comments, it just, like, really makes it hurt worse. It's not about me at all, but... the last couple of months have been the hardest thing I could've ever imagined." However, viewers launched a Change.org petition demanding that the Stauffers remove all promotional posts that feature Huxley. After all, the family's adoption journey helped propel their reach across social media platforms.
The internet is accusing Myka Stauffer of questionable parenting behavior
As news of Myka and James Stauffer's decision to "rehome" their adopted son Huxley spread, viewers shared their concerns on social media. One such Twitter user, @shmailey_, shared an image clipped from one of Stauffer's YouTube videos, which allegedly shows Huxley with duct tape on his arms "as punishment for sucking his thumb as a coping mechanism." Shortly after this incident, fans noticed Huxley mysteriously disappeared from Myka's timeline, although he'd been a constant up until that point (per Distractify).
Viewers also highlighted how, in retrospect, Huxley seemed more like a pawn in Myka and James' plot to crowdfund his adoption and gain sponsorship deals. In one such advertisement for Dreft, as posted to Myka's Instagram, the mother wrote, "This adoption hasn't been the easiest ride. We have had so many bumps along the way! But it's by far one of my favorite journeys I have ever embarked on! I love everything about this little boy and I wouldn't trade him for anything!" But we know now that's not the case.
Thankfully, despite the circumstances, Huxley seems to be healthy and happy with his new family.
Myka Stauffer's adopted son is now 'thriving' with his new family
Although Myka and James Stauffer faced instant backlash for not revealing their choice to "rehome" son Huxley earlier, Myka told fans they "didn't want to mess up" the legal process behind the scenes. "The reason we haven't updated you sooner is because the medical professionals, the agencies, multiple people have been allowing for Huxley to spend time with some different people to see and to make the perfect match and fit for his now new forever family."
Fortunately, the adoption agency found a family that's "literally the perfect match" for Huxley, Myka said. "He is thriving. He is very happy. He's doing really well," she explained during her family's YouTube reveal. "And his new mommy has medical professional training, and it is a very good fit."
For those who doubt Myka's honesty, writer Sophie Ross told viewers that sources close to the situation confirmed Huxley is safe and loved. "I just got confirmation that Huxley's in a GREAT foster home," Ross shared via Twitter. "Might be temporary or might turn permanent, but in case anyone's wondering where he is, he's safe, in the foster system, and still in the US." Ross later added that "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." We could not be happier for Huxley!