Police investigate the welfare of re-homed autistic child of YouTube influencers
Police have confirmed they are looking into the welfare and whereabouts of the adopted son of YouTube couple Myka and James Stauffer, who they admitted they “re-homed” with another family.
Myka sparked fury online when she came forward on her YouTube channel to announce she had sent her adopted son Huxley, five, to live with another family after his special needs meant that they could no longer provide the best support for him.
The couple adopted Huxley from China in 2016, and did not shy away from sharing the process on Myka's YouTube channel.
Though they were told the boy suffered from brain tumours, it was later revealed to the family that the young boy has level three autism and a sensory processing disorder, the result of having a stroke in utero.
Image: Instagram
Myka and James announced that they had sent Huxley to live with a family better equipped to handle his needs in a video that went viral last week.
Fans promptly accused the pair of "re-homing" him because of his autism.
It has also since raised questions about Huxley's whereabouts since leaving the Stauffer family.
The Delaware, US County Sheriff's Office is looking into the case alongside “several other agencies”, according to BuzzFeed News.
Tracy Whited, the office's community and media relations manager, said that the case is ongoing but was able to confirm that the five-year-old boy “is not missing”.
“All adoption cases are confidential, and must go through a thorough process, with specific requirements and safeguards,” Whited said.
Myka and her husband took to Youtube to reveal they had "rehomed" their son Huxley.
“In private adoptions there are the same legal requirements that must be adhered to. These include home studies as well as background checks on the adopting parent(s).”
She added that both parties are being represented by attorneys.
Last week lawyers for the Stauffer family released a statement addressing the backlash surrounding Myka and James' video.
“We are privy to this case, and given the facts at hand, we feel this was the best decision for Huxley,” lawyers Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers said.
“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 health care 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.”
Fans and critics asked to know how little Hux had been “re-homed”, as the details were never made clear.
Myka appears to have since removed all photos of Huxley from her Instagram account while images of her other four children remain.