Anyone who watched 16 & Pregnant will remember the emotional episode where Catelynn and Tyler decided to give up their daughter for adoption. The little girl, Carly, was adopted by a couple named Brandon and Teresa, who agreed to an open adoption with the young couple.
However, as Carly began to grow older, her adoptive parents requested that she not be featured on Teen Mom, or really mentioned that much at all. They also suggested that Catelynn and Tyler not come to visit for their yearly reunion, saying it wasn't a good time. The birth parents were clearly distraught, as they had hoped to see Carly at least once a year as part of their open adoption.
"But basically, she was like, "˜Don't make plans to come here,'" Catelynn said of Teresa's talk with her. "Right now I guess they're working through some things with Carly," Lowell added, still reading from Teresa's text message. ""˜She's at an age where she's trying to figure out her place in life. She's a nine-year-old girl with a different story. She just has to get confident in who she is, and we want her to be able to do that in the least confusing way possible. She just needs to mature some.'"
Some people went after Brandon and Teresa, saying it was unfair to change the terms of their adoption after nine years. However, Tyler defended the adoptive parents.
"Regardless of anyone's opinions, Brandon & Teresa are Carly's parents & if they decide not having a visit is what's best for her right now, then we have to trust the parental decisions that we gave them the rights to make in the first place," Baltierra wrote Twitter. "It's not always easy, but necessary."
Despite not being able to see Carly as often as they'd like, there is still an immense love that Catelynn and Tyler have for the little girl. This past week, on her 10th birthday, Tyler posted a sweet message to his biological daughter, accompanied by a picture of their daughter Nova playing with Carly.
10 years ago yesterday, we were only 17.10 years ago, we brought you into the world. 10 years ago, we only got to hold you by ourselves for a half hour in the hospital as we just cried & stared at you, remembering every little detail of how absolutely perfect you were, since we knew that even though we just met, we had to say goodbye.
10 years ago, we had to make the hardest decision of our lives & give you everything your innocent life deserved that we just couldn't provide at the time.
10 years ago, we held each other & wept as we watched you drive away in the back of the car with the only parents that were worthy to be yours.
10 years ago...your life changed so many others for the better & has blessed more lives than I can count. We love you so much & hopefully get to see you soon baby girl. Happy Birthday Carly! #Adoption#BirthparentStrong
Kailyn Lowry, another Teen Mom cast member, commented on the post, saying "I have the chills!!! So so proud of y'all & happy birthday to Carly! ♥ï¸"
As for Catelynn, she didn't post anything about Carly's birthday on social media, but she's been open in the past about how the decision to give up her daughter has been a trigger for her mental health issues. Plus, with a 4 year old and newborn baby at home, she's already got a lot on her mind.
I think it's sweet that Tyler still loves and supports Carly in such a public way, and I do feel for them that the relationship they thought they'd have with her isn't what they're getting.
