HBO's three-part docuseries, titled 'An Update on Our Family,' delves into the scandal surrounding the dissolution of family vloggers' adoption, providing a fresh perspective on the situation.
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In An Update on Our Family, Vox Media Studios revisits the viral adoption dissolution scandal that pushed Myka and James Stauffer's family channel offline. The series premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2020 and debuted on HBO on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
The three-part docuseries — which was inspired by New York Magazine's 2020 feature on the family following the fallout — includes old videos shared by the couple before they announced their decision to re-home their adopted son, Huxley, and wiped all of their content off of YouTube 2020.
In 2017, the Stauffers welcomed Huxley into their home, but two years later, they decided to rehome him, claiming that his newly diagnosed developmental disabilities prompted them to find a different family for him. This choice sparked significant outrage among viewers, who felt betrayed by the couple, particularly in light of prior comments they had made in their videos.
In one of the deleted YouTube posts that resurfaced in the new docuseries, Myka told her viewers that she and her husband were well-equipped and willing to learn how to parent a child with special needs.
The ex-nurse expressed, “I’m uncertain about what his medical diagnosis will entail. How much education will he require? Will he need additional practical experience? Could there be delays? Regardless, I want to emphasize that my child is not something that can be returned.”
At the time of the docuseries' premiere last summer, Myka, James, and Huxley's new family did not provide any comments to PEOPLE despite the requests.
Here’s an update on Huxley’s life and the recent statements made by the Stauffer family following his rehoming.
Myka and James Stauffer adopted Huxley in October 2017.
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The Stauffers gained fame through their popular family YouTube channel, where they documented their experiences as parents to their four biological kids and their adopted son Huxley, who they welcomed into their family from China at the age of 2½ in 2017.
Myka and James chronicled their journey through the adoption process, sharing moments with their son in various posts, including the time he was diagnosed with autism.
In one since-deleted vlog featured in An Update on Our Family, Myka discussed how she used Dreft laundry detergent to "bond with" Huxley in a sponsored video.
"Dreft baby detergent carries a fragrance reminiscent of a newborn, allowing me to feel like I’m holding a tiny baby again, even while cuddling my 3-year-old son. It brings back that baby scent I missed when he was born," shared the Ohio mother in a video titled, "5 Surprising Things About Our Adoption from China!" as she played with her toddler.
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Myka and James Stauffer rehomed Huxley due to concerns about his behavior and the challenges they faced in meeting his needs. They felt that they could not provide the necessary support and care for him, which ultimately led them to decide that finding a new home would be in Huxley's best interest.
In 2020, the couple fell from grace when they announced that they sought adoption dissolution, claiming they were unaware of the extent of Huxley's disabilities and ill-equipped to raise him.
"In our journey, it has been incredibly challenging to listen to the medical experts and their feedback, which has often been distressing," James expressed in their last video shared in 2020. "We never intended to find ourselves in this situation. Our efforts have always been focused on addressing his needs and providing him with as much support as we can... our love for him is genuine."
"Myka interjected, 'Every part of us adores Huxley completely. We poured our hearts into this, and I believe Jim is expressing that after several assessments and evaluations, many healthcare professionals have concluded that Huxley requires a different environment to meet his medical needs more effectively.'"
"Do I feel like I'm failing as a mother? Absolutely, without a doubt," Myka confessed. "The past few months have been the toughest experience I could have ever envisioned... especially after investing so much love and effort into this little boy."
Myka wrote a final Instagram post to "apologize for the uproar and take full responsibility for all the hurt that I have caused."
The ex-influencer went on to say, "This choice has brought heartbreak to many, and I apologize for disappointing the countless women who viewed me as a maternal figure."
At the time, the couple's lawyers, Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers, told PEOPLE about the Stauffers' ultimate hope to "provide Huxley with the best possible treatment and care."
"In light of the information available to us regarding this case, we believe this was the most appropriate choice for Huxley," stated the legal team in a special statement released in May 2020. "Through our interactions with our clients, we have come to understand that they are a devoted family and compassionate parents who would go to great lengths for their children."
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Does Huxley Stauffer appear in An Update on Our Family?
Vox's three-part series includes various snippets from deleted YouTube videos featuring Huxley, although his face has been obscured to protect his identity. In a particularly controversial video, Myka discussed her intentions to reduce the treatment for her adopted son Huxley due to the escalating medical costs, while showcasing her son on camera.
"We've decided to switch to a different speech therapist—one that charges $70 for a 30-minute session instead of the $500 a month option," the Ohio influencer shared in her vlog. "Definitely not paying $500 for just 30 minutes. Absolutely not!"
The YouTube post came under scrutiny when viewers noticed her wearing an 18-karat gold Cartier Love bracelet, which cost over $6,000 in 2018. The bangle currently retails for $7,350, according to the luxury brand's website as of January 2025.
What is Huxley's current location?
Huxley has since found a new home and has been given a new name by his adoptive family. The child is no longer in the spotlight. In their last YouTube update, Myka and James shared that Huxley would be cared for by a "new mommy" who possesses medical expertise to address his requirements.
In a 2020 post on Instagram, Myka shared that Huxley was "thriving" and "happy" with his new family, describing them as "a perfect match."