Myka Stauffer Said Her Adopted Son From China Was “Not Returnable” Before Viral Rehoming Scandal

Myka Stauffer, who shocked the world when she gave up her four-year-old son, said before the child’s adoption that he was “not returnable” and she “would love” him “no matter what state” he was in.

The story of the YouTuber star and her husband, James Stauffer, resurfaced in the new three-part docuseries called An Update on Our Family, which includes deleted clips from the couple’s old vlogs about the boy’s adoption.

Highlights

Myka Stauffer once said her adopted son from China was "not returnable" and she would "love" him "no matter what state" he was in
The Stauffers gained online fame by sharing their journey of adopting Huxley from China on YouTube
The couple faced immense backlash in 2020 after announcing they could no longer care for Huxley, who was diagnosed with autism post-adoption
The new docuseries called 'An Update on Our Family' explores the Stauffers' story

The Ohio-based couple enjoyed internet stardom as they documented their journey of adopting a boy with special needs from China. They named the boy Huxley, and the video of them adopting the then 2½-year-old racked up over 5 million views.

The story of Myka and James Stauffer resurfaced with the release of the new docuseries called An Update on Our Family

Myka Stauffer Said Her Adopted Son From China Was “Not Returnable” Before Viral Rehoming Scandal

Image credits: Myka Stauffer / Instagram

Prior to his adoption, the mother of three spoke about the child and said they were unaware of the extent of his disabilities but claimed she wouldn’t be returning the child.

“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 [parenting]? Will he be delayed?” she said in 2017.

“But if anything, my child is not returnable,” she added and claimed she and her husband were ready to meet the child’s needs.

The Stauffers, who gained online stardom from their vlogs, are also parents to their three biological children

Myka Stauffer Said Her Adopted Son From China Was “Not Returnable” Before Viral Rehoming Scandal

Image credits: Myka Stauffer / Instagram

“The only need that our little boy has is a nice family that really, truly cares about him,” she said in a vlog.

After gaining online fame by sharing their journey of adopting Huxley, the couple fell from grace in 2020 when they announced to their audience that they could no longer care for the boy, who was diagnosed with autism following the adoption.

The Stauffers sought adoption dissolution two years after welcoming the little one home. Their decision prompted immense backlash online.

Huxley is now part of a new family and has since been renamed.

“My child is not returnable,” Myka claimed prior to the adoption of Huxley, who has since been renamed by his new family

After an announcement about the child being rehomed, the vlogging couple’s lawyers, Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers, said they believed this was the best decision for him.

“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,” the lawyers said in a statement to People. “Over time, the team of medical professionals advised our clients it might be best for Huxley to be placed with another family.”

The new Vox Media Studios docuseries, An Update on Our Family, was created by filmmaker Rachel Mason.

The Ohio-based mom apologized for their decision to give the boy up and said she was “naive” during the adoption process

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A post shared by Myka Stauffer (@mykastauffer)

“What drew me to the Stauffer story was the fact that they represented a world that is highly in demand as far as content. Their story being traumatic was interesting, but it also made me think, ‘Wow, I wonder how many other stories there are that we’re just still on the edge of learning about?'” Rachel told The Hollywood Reporter.

“The Stauffers [are] an example that our series challenges on some level: Are they an example of people that are the worst parents or are they doing things to feed an audience demand that has gotten out of control within an industry that’s unregulated? When you are amateurs and your show is your family and you don’t have any producers or anyone giving you any guardrails, there’s so many things that can go wrong,” the filmmaker added.

“The story of what they did with Huxley is pretty much the tip of the iceberg of what we’re starting to learn exists within that sphere, moving forward to the present day.”

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What do you think ?

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Anony Mouse 5 months ago

This was big news years ago. I don't see the point in advertising for their youtube channel or whatever it is here, so long after the fact.

35points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 months ago

I agree that I don't like that some people will go to her YouTube channel and give her "hits/views" due to this story, but I DO think that we should remember - and continue to shame - these two terrible people for what they did. As "influencers", they had PLENTY of money for hiring help for Huxley's care, and they didn't. They tossed him out because they didn't want to deal with a less-than-perfectly-marketable child. Which is hilarious, because they'd have gotten MORE views/kudos/pats on the back from viewers if they were like "We love him despite his condition and we are committed to caring for him!" - even though it would have been insincere on their part, the viewers wouldn't have known, and they'd have eaten it up as a feel-good story.

9points

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FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

They deliberately sought out a tough adoption so they could be saviors and make money from their content. They monetised their child and when he was more trouble than he was worth, or when they realised they could make even more money with less work by giving him up, they cast him aside. Would they have done this to one of their bio children? If you decide to have a child, it's a gamble, but its also a commitment. I'm glad he's in a better home but these are despicable people.

25points

Sunny Day 5 months ago

I really don't see this as any different than a poor mom giving up a baby for adoption so she can take care of her other children. The child needed more help than this family could provide without negatively impacting their other kids. They made a tough decision with no good options.

13points

MoriahPapaya 5 months ago

Part of the major controversy was that they milked the situation endlessly and made a lot of money with this adoption, there were additional details that were unsavory but its been just long enough I don't recall them anymore.

43points

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FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

Any child can become special needs. Signing up to be a parent is for life. If you can't commit to care for a child, and this one they knew in advance was special needs and hoped to make money off of content with him, don't have another child. These people are disgusting.

14points

FluffyDreg 5 months ago

It's unfortunate you are being downvoted for the truth here. The only "incorrect" part is that they didn't give him up for adoption. They sought out a spesific professional who was able to meet the kids needs and rehomed him. He never went into any adoption or foster care. They did something most parebts could never do. Admit they failed, and found someone better. Instead of sticking their feet in and continue hurting the boy because "wE tRiEd OuR bEsT."

9points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 months ago (edited)

It's miles different than "a poor mom giving up a baby for adoption so she can take care of her other children". These people are not poor. They're YouTube "influencers" and have PLENTY of money. They could have easily afforded caregivers, teachers/tutors, nannies, etc. to assist them with Huxley's care and upbringing. It's all B.S. - they didn't get the Perfectly Normal, Highly-Marketable Non-White Foreign-Adoption Child™ that they wanted, so they rehomed him like a dog that won't stop peeing on your carpet. And "without negatively impacting their other kids"? Ha. These monsters are "family vloggers" - they're ALREADY negatively impacting their other kids by EXPLOITING them in their videos. Do you think Kova, Jaka, Radley and Onyx are going to appreciate having every moment of their childhood permanently on the internet? Also, Myka had the AUDACITY to say that Huxley "wanted" to be rehomed. Explain to me how a four-year-old autistic child, who was stated to be non-verbal, "wanted" to be REMOVED from the family he'd been a part of for two years.

8points

Suck it Trebek 5 months ago

They did it for publicity, money and content deals. They didn't do it for family.

5points

Phyllis Jones 5 months ago

But they're not poor and can afford to take care of all of them. If one of her biological children had the same needs, would she have given them up? Probably not. Adopted children are not returnable. Once you adopt them, they are your children, imperfections and all.

2points

RP 5 months ago

It is different because they CHOOSE to adapt this child. Many of these children's biological parents didn't have that choice and didn't have a realistic chance of raising them. These kids already have trauma and every failed adaption makes that worse. When you adopt a child, it is your child. There is no question of how it will impact the other children anymore than there would be with any other sibling. The good option would have been to adopt knowing what your limits are and living with them and not using adoption as a way to score social media points.

2points

Samuel Pelatan 5 months ago

Other mom don't capitalise on their child in a "that's an asian and we saved him from China so it is less horrible to treat him that way" kinda racist way

2points

Scott Rackley 5 months ago

I don't have a problem that they got in over their head and instead of screwing the kid up, they found someone with the resources to give the kid a chance. However, I despise them for starting this for youtube money and clout. Vile.

11points

SleepSycho 5 months ago

Well said👌

2points

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Roberta Surprenant 5 months ago

Notice she "apologized" to everyone except the child she screwed over.

11points

Suck it Trebek 5 months ago

Yeah and her crocodile tears were pathetic. It was so obvious she wasn't crying.

4points

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The Starsong Princess 5 months ago

One of the major reasons adoptions like this fail is the child is violent to other children in the family. It’s telling that this child went to a home where he is the only child.

9points

FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

That is pretty common knowledge, and they chose to seek out a child with profound needs and then acted like it was a shock.

12points

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Crazy catz Premium 5 months ago

I'm sorry, and maybe this is a minority opinion but wtf, I have a son with severe mental health issues, autism, delayed, adhd, yes of course it's different because he is my biological son, but if you seek out a child with problems, you don't just give them up because it's difficult, my son is violent, he is scared of the world, he causes so much upset and upheaval, BUT he is also the softest most loving little boy at the same time, I disagree completely woth their decision when it was their decision to get a special needs child, a child that needed care and attention, a child that needed love and was given up, again, I just find it heartbreaking for him not them, for their other children who gained a brother then lost a brother, I'm so glad he's with someone who actually loves him and wants him now 💙

8points

FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

It is not different at all that he's your bio son. You just feel love and act with devotion towards your son, despite the extremely difficult challenges, whereas they approached their son as a business opportunity and then passed him off, just like selling assets from a failed commercial enterprise. I can't imagine what the siblings are going through. They have to wonder if they become difficult will they be rehimed as well.

8points

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Jo 5 months ago

STOP GIVING PEOPLE LIKE THIS ATTENTION

5points

Andrea L 5 months ago

It was wise that they swallowed their pride and gave him up even though the adoption was done so publicly, but the gross part to me is that part of the reason they adopted seems to be for internet fame. Would they have adopted him at all if it was done privately? They wouldn’t have been successful at parenting any child that was adopted to be used for fame which is form of child exploitation. Maybe if they would have spent time doing research on the realities of adopting a disabled child instead of posting videos they would have been less naive.

3points

Barbara Wilcock 5 months ago

This is an old story. It is now revisited to line their pockets. People will now give them the attention and money they crave. It's a f*****g child. This boy deserves a better family. I pray his is now with patents that won't throw him out when it gets tough

2points

Pyla 5 months ago

Binitha, the resident "shilling the D list" writer. Barf.

1point

Chelsea McKee 5 months ago

I don't know what to think other than "of course the foreign special needs baby is going to be a constant financial and emotional challenge".

1point

Belle Miles 5 months ago

I can see from here that most responses are from people who never dealt with the sh*t end of the stick when it comes to children and special needs. That's why these children have an entire team of people and community resources. My autistic kid was so hard to deal with even his special Ed pre-K teacher couldn't stand him. Guess who is a pretty cool 20 year old. And it wasn't because I gave him to someone else to deal with. I found the resources. They don't need another kid. What if it has cerebral palsy or spina bifida? Sometimes life sucks and you can't CONTROL it.

1point

FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

But this was planned, they took on a child with profound needs when they already had three kids. This wasn't chance, this wasn't out with their control. They wanted to show what great parents they were when planning on ignoring their bio kids, and then realised they might have to actually do something and gave up their son. They chose the situation lightly and then when faced with a cruel hardship abandoned their child. They are AHs for starting the process.

10points

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Suck it Trebek 5 months ago

They SPECIFICALLY found a child with special needs for content to post and make money off of. They saw dollar signs, not a new child.

4points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 months ago (edited)

They are (well, were) YouTube "family vloggers" who made PLENTY of money via their family vlogging site and the husband's "car detailing" YouTube channel. They had the money to provide for Huxley's needs, and for caregivers, teachers/tutors, nannies, etc. to help them with raising and caring for Huxley. They could have EASILY hired "an entire team of people". Myka's channel earned $700 A DAY at its most popular (and that's ASIDE from ads and sponsors.) Her video titled "Huxley's EMOTIONAL Adoption VIDEO!! GOTCHA DAY China Adoption" alone had an estimated income of $9,000. And guess what? The family who adopted Huxley after the Stauffers threw him out like a un-housebroken puppy who peed on the rug DOESN'T have a "an entire team of people" to help them raise MULTIPLE special-needs kids that they have fostered/adopted.

3points

H. B. Nielsen 5 months ago (edited)

So messed up, these people. To the folks questioning why bring them up now though I completely understand the disgust. However just to be clear, it doesn't appear to be for any of the reasons mentioned in the comments, but instead because of a new docuseries coming out about the situation. Even indicates that under the highlights toward the top of the article. Some comments make it seem like this was randomly dreged up or worse still to promote the family. The latter may be an unintended consequence, but pretty sure it's more of a negative for them.

0points

POST

Anony Mouse 5 months ago

This was big news years ago. I don't see the point in advertising for their youtube channel or whatever it is here, so long after the fact.

35points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 months ago

9points

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FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

25points

Sunny Day 5 months ago

13points

MoriahPapaya 5 months ago

43points

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FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

14points

FluffyDreg 5 months ago

9points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 months ago (edited)

8points

Suck it Trebek 5 months ago

They did it for publicity, money and content deals. They didn't do it for family.

5points

Phyllis Jones 5 months ago

2points

RP 5 months ago

2points

Samuel Pelatan 5 months ago

Other mom don't capitalise on their child in a "that's an asian and we saved him from China so it is less horrible to treat him that way" kinda racist way

2points

Scott Rackley 5 months ago

11points

SleepSycho 5 months ago

Well said👌

2points

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Roberta Surprenant 5 months ago

Notice she "apologized" to everyone except the child she screwed over.

11points

Suck it Trebek 5 months ago

Yeah and her crocodile tears were pathetic. It was so obvious she wasn't crying.

4points

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The Starsong Princess 5 months ago

One of the major reasons adoptions like this fail is the child is violent to other children in the family. It’s telling that this child went to a home where he is the only child.

9points

FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

That is pretty common knowledge, and they chose to seek out a child with profound needs and then acted like it was a shock.

12points

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Crazy catz Premium 5 months ago

8points

FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

8points

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Jo 5 months ago

STOP GIVING PEOPLE LIKE THIS ATTENTION

5points

Andrea L 5 months ago

3points

Barbara Wilcock 5 months ago

2points

Pyla 5 months ago

Binitha, the resident "shilling the D list" writer. Barf.

1point

Chelsea McKee 5 months ago

I don't know what to think other than "of course the foreign special needs baby is going to be a constant financial and emotional challenge".

1point

Belle Miles 5 months ago

1point

FreeTheUnicorn 5 months ago

10points

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Suck it Trebek 5 months ago

They SPECIFICALLY found a child with special needs for content to post and make money off of. They saw dollar signs, not a new child.

4points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 5 months ago (edited)

3points

H. B. Nielsen 5 months ago (edited)

0points

Myka Stauffer Said Her Adopted Son From China Was “Not Returnable” Before Viral Rehoming Scandal

The story of Myka and James Stauffer resurfaced with the release of the new docuseries called An Update on Our Family

The Stauffers, who gained online stardom from their vlogs, are also parents to their three biological children

“My child is not returnable,” Myka claimed prior to the adoption of Huxley, who has since been renamed by his new family

The Ohio-based mom apologized for their decision to give the boy up and said she was “naive” during the adoption process

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Myka Stauffer Said Her Adopted Son From China Was “Not Returnable” Before Viral Rehoming Scandal

The story of Myka and James Stauffer resurfaced with the release of the new docuseries called An Update on Our Family

The Stauffers, who gained online stardom from their vlogs, are also parents to their three biological children

“My child is not returnable,” Myka claimed prior to the adoption of Huxley, who has since been renamed by his new family

The Ohio-based mom apologized for their decision to give the boy up and said she was “naive” during the adoption process

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