YouTuber Myka Stauffer Rehomes Adoptive Son with Autism
Myka Stauffer holds Huxley in a 2017 YouTube video. Screenshot from Myka Stauffer’s YouTube.
Huxley was 2 years old when popular YouTube user Myka Stauffer and her husband James flew to China to adopt him in October 2017, according to an article published on People.
In the following years, Stauffer vlogged about her life as a mother of four children on her YouTube channel that has about 700,000 subscribers. She’s posted videos such as her morning and night routine that involve waking up her children, brushing their teeth, and reading them bedtime stories.
But fans of the channel began noticing Huxley’s absence in Stauffer’s videos and social media posts earlier this year. After fans voiced their concerns, Stauffer and her husband made an update video on May 26, 2020 revealing they have rehomed Huxley, who’s turning 5 later this year, to a family that could provide more support for his special needs.
“After multiple assessments, after multiple evaluations, numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit in his medical needs,” Stauffer said in the video. “His new mommy has medical, professional training and it is a very good fit.”
The video has been viewed more than 5.3 million times. Elyse Redwine is one of the 1,540 people who commented on the video. “I have respect for you both, but I think a lot of people are going to have a hard time wrapping their minds around this situation and viewing your channel in the same way,” Redwine wrote.
According to an NBC News article, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the well-being of Huxley.
"Our primary concern is for the well-being of this child, as well as the other children in the household," a Delaware County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson wrote in a statement. "Our investigation is ongoing, and will include contact with all children to ensure their safety."
Lawyers Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers, told People in an exclusive statement that they have advised the Stauffers to not comment any further for the time being.
"We should be clear that Huxley is a 4-year-old child whose privacy should be fully respected,” the attorneys’ statement said. “We know our clients would ask for your prayers and support and to respect their privacy with what has been the most difficult decision of their lives.”
Stauffer has removed photos of Huxley on her Instagram and has deleted Huxley’s adoption video that was on her YouTube channel. Some videos featuring Huxley are still on her YouTube channel.