UPDATE: The adoption controversy surrounding YouTuber Myka Stauffer has reached a new height as the social media influencer has responded to critics. Get the whole story here, or scroll down for the updates below.
The Myka Stauffer Adoption Story
Myka Stauffer gained a massive social media following after she began documenting her adoption of a toddler from China in 2017. She and her husband, James, also monetized those videos. However, last month, the couple announced that the toddler, Huxley, was placed into another home for unspecified behavioral issues.
“After multiple assessments, after multiple evaluations, numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit in his medical needs, he needed more,” Myka said in her announcement.
Nearly a month later, Myka Stauffer is returning to social media to address the adoption controversy and apologize “for the uproar.”
Meet the Stauffers
At the beginning of the Stauffer’s blogging journey, they had one daughter together and Myka’s daughter from a previous relationship. Since then, they’ve documented the pregnancy and births of their two sons and Huxley’s adoption journey.
Huxley had a large presence in Myka’s online life. From a playlist of 27 videos focusing on Huxley’s “Adoption Journey” to Myka’s many articles about her adoption experience and adopting a child with special needs. Buzzfeed News reports on her piece for Parade, where Myka mentions that Huxley’s special needs file was “inaccurate” and that he was autistic.
“He is a great kid and his condition doesn’t involve that much overall care—all you need is a big heart and practice patience every day. It’s a different kind of patience,” she wrote.
When Huxley updates came to a halt early this year, Myka’s followers began questioning the family, and the truth came out.
In late May, the couple uploaded a video on their YouTube channel to announce the change in their family. They noted that their recent silence on the changes were to protect Huxley, his privacy, and future.
Myka’s lawyers spoke up in a statement published to PEOPLE. “We are privy to this case and given the facts at hand, we feel this was the best decision for Huxley,” Myka and James’ lawyers, Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers, told PEOPLE.
“We have advised our clients not to say anything further at this time, but it is likely they will share more when the time is appropriate for them and all involved,” the attorneys’ statement says. “We should be clear that Huxley is a 4-year-old child whose privacy should be fully respected. 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.”
UPDATE: Myka Speaks Out
Myka Stauffer returned to Instagram this week to upload an apology to her followers. In it, she calls herself “naive, foolish, and arrogant.”
She also addressed allegations that she expoited Huxley and his adoption for money. She wrote that the “small portion of money” from Huxley-related videos went back into care and services for him.
“I can’t say I wish this never happened because I’m still so glad Huxley is here and getting all of the help he needs,” Myka continued. “I also know that even though he is happier in his new home and doing better that he still experienced trauma and I’m sorry, no adoptee deserves any more trauma.”
Myka Stauffer Adoption — Sources
YouTube — Myka Stauffer
Buzzfeed News
Daily Mail
PEOPLE