This couple from Maryland has temporarily lost custody of their two kids after being accused of publishing allegedly abusive YouTube videos under the disguise of “pranks”.
Once more, the internet shows what you do with it can have destructive in-real-life consequences. The latest example who felt the wrath of the Internet is Heather and Mike Martin, also known on YouTube as “DaddyOFive”. Their popularity revolves around making “cruel” pranks to their children, recording on camera, and publishing the videos on YouTube. These pranks gained them over 760,000 subscribers.
The specific video that prompted the outrage was the one published on Youtube on April 12, entitled “INVISIBLE INK PRANK”. This and other several videos on the channel has long been deleted.
On the 22nd of April, the couple published an apology video through their channel, admitting they had made some horrible parenting choices.
The following days after the apology video was posted, oldest child Emma and her brother Emma — Mike’s biological kids and Heather’s stepkids — were temporarily taken away from the family’s home and put custody of Rose, their biological mother.
According to her, the children are doing good and getting back to their playful selves. She also thanked the YouTube community for not just standing by and enlightening on the child abuse and calling to action.
In another video, the “DaddyOFive” couple said the pranks were fake and the children were happy to join. This video was also erased.
The unfortunate part of this situation is the fact it isn’t the first instance parents use their kids to gain internet fame. Knowing that the Martins will not be the last parents to do so is disappointing to know.
