A new three-part documentary is seeking to expose the 'hidden-in-plain-sight, unregulated family vlogging industry' as it shines a line on the shocking case of a couple who 're-homed' their adopted son.
Family vloggers Myka and James Stauffer stunned the internet when they uploaded their video titled 'An Update on Our Family' back in 2020.
In the clip, the couple explained they had 're-homed' their son three years after they had documented his adoption process for their viewers.
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Now, a new HBO docu-series aptly titled An Update on Our Family has shed light on the couple's shocking fall from grace.
The dark side of 'family vlogging'
The family - who had raked in a staggering 700,000 followers on Myka’s YouTube channel and over 300,000 on the family’s vlog channel - had previously shown their son’s photo online before his adoption from China was finalized, with Myka opening up to viewers about his additional needs.
In a video uploaded in 2017, she said: “I don’t know what his medical diagnosis is gonna look like. How much schooling will he need? Will he need a little bit more hands on? Will he be delayed?
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“But if anything, my child is not returnable.”
But viewers were left confused when the little boy suddenly stopped featuring in the couple's content - and it wasn't long before the situation was addressed.
The video that ended it all
Viewers were left shocked after the couple sat down to announce they had re-homed the four-year-old.
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"International adoption, sometimes there’s unknowns and things that are not transparent on file,” James said in the damning video.
“And once Huxley came home there was a lot more special needs that we weren’t aware of and that we were not told.
“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. And we’ve been trying to get his needs met and help him out as much as possible... We truly love him.”
Myka then tearfully weighed in, as she admitted to feeling like a 'failure as a mom' and explaining Huxley had a 'new forever family'.
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“They found somebody that they felt would be ultimately the best fit and he is thriving, he is very happy, he is doing very well and his new mommy has medical professional training and it is a very good fit,” Myka told the camera.
Lawyers weigh in following backlash
After revealing their decision to dissolve the adoption, the Stauffers’ lawyers spoke to People, where they said the couple's hope was to ‘provide Huxley with the best possible treatment and care’.
Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers said: “We are privy to this case and given the facts at hand, we feel this was the best decision for Huxley.
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“In coming to know our clients we know they are a loving family and are very caring parents that would do anything for their children.
“Since his adoption, they consulted with multiple professionals in the healthcare and educational arenas in order to provide Huxley with the best possible treatment and care.
“Over time, the team of medical professionals advised our clients it might be best for Huxley to be placed with another family.”
New documentary shines a light on the shocking case
Directed by Rachel Mason, the HBO doc is aiming to put the magnifying glass on the family vlogging industry as it discusses the controversial case.
Featuring interviews with experts, the three-parter also examines just how much money these families can earn by putting their children front and centre of their content, as well as taking a deep dive into the events leading up to the couple re-homing their child.
Since the scandal, the couple have kept a low profile online, with Myka not posting on Instagram since 2020.
An Update on Our Family airs at 9.00pm ET/PT on HBO. New episodes will debut every Wednesday through to January 29.
Callum Jones