Catelynn and Tyler’s Adoption Story: An Update on the MTV Stars

If you are a fan of MTV’s “Teen Mom” franchise, you may know the Catelynn and Tyler adoption story. In this blog, Adoptions With Love shares an update on the couple’s life since their decision to make an adoption plan, as well as their latest experiences with open adoption.

When fans first met Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra back in 2009, they were just a mere 16-years-old – and they were already facing one of the biggest, most difficult decisions of their lives. The couple found themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy in high school. Despite how much they loved their daughter-to-be, they did not feel ready to raise a child. They were not emotionally or financially prepared and did not know what to do. They decided to lovingly place their daughter for adoption. For the past 15 years, fans have been following Catelynn and Tyler’s adoption agreement.

Catelynn has said that, by sharing her experiences on MTV, she has been able to share a true adoption story with the world. Despite the trials she experienced on and off the show, she has also shown the world that adoption can also be a positive experience. Many teenagers today do not know that adoption is an option for them. Many do not know that they can have an open relationship with their child’s family after the adoption. Before Teen Mom, many only knew of the stigmas and myths surrounding adoption. Catelynn and Tyler helped to share an accurate vision of adoption today. Catelynn explains:

“Placing Carly in the beginning was important for me to share with the world, just because I felt like there wasn’t a ‘true’ vision of what adoption was really like. MTV really did it with my episode of 16 & Pregnant because it just showed the reality of adoption and it kind of ended some of the stigmas. It was scary to do [the show] also, because I mean, me myself, I was learning about adoption through that process, as I was going through it.”

The couple who adopted Catelynn and Tyler’s baby, Brandon and Teresa, could not have biological children. Together, the families decided it was in baby Carly’s best interest to have an open adoption, where everyone would stay in touch over the years.

MTV first aired Catelynn and Tyler’s story on the popular 16 and Pregnant, where fans could follow Catelynn’s unplanned pregnancy to Carly’s birth. MTV continued to follow the couple on Teen Mom, Teen Mom OG, and most recently, Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. Since the original show aired, Catelynn and Tyler have gotten married and welcomed three more children into their lives, whom they are raising.

While Catelynn and Tyler have been vocal about the benefits of open adoption, they have also been honest about the struggles, as well.

As a birth mother, Catelynn has admitted to having had moments of grief and missing Carly, days that she wonders about the “what ifs.” She has said:

“Grief comes in all different ways and it comes at random times with adoption… You’re fighting with your internal instinct – you have to constantly, 24/7 talk to yourself about the reasons why you’re doing it [making an adoption plan]. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life but, I have way more happy days than I do sad days. There’s a rare day that I have a sad day and I think that’s just because I know I made the right decision for her.”

An Open, Honest Relationship

In more recent years, Catelynn has opened up to fans about the struggles of raising children with an open adoption in place. During an interview with E! News in 2023, Catelynn expressed the struggle of explaining the adoption circumstances with their other children. During a family visit with birth daughter, Carly, their 8-year-old daughter Novalee was asking questions, such as: “’Why can’t you come spend the night at my house? Why can’t I come spend the night at your house? I don’t want to leave.’”

“It’s definitely hard,” Catelynn added.

Catelynn has also told E! News that their three daughters love Carly.

“It’s pretty awesome to be able to witness it. And we’re blessed that we do have an open adoption to be able to witness it. It’s truly a blessing to be able to watch all of these things over the years.”

A Change of Plans

More recently, Catelynn expressed frustration on Instagram when she and Tyler were denied their annual visit with Carly in 2024. We do not know why this change in a visit with Carly occurred, only that it was canceled. It is quite possibly due to the wishes of Carly. It is important to always take into consideration “the best interests of the child”.

The post sparked criticisms from fans. Tyler came to his wife’s defense, asking fans for grace and kindness. His social media response went on to explain that:

“Most will never know the pain of what it takes to fight against the most powerful, biological and instinctual nature that’s required to make that choice [of adoption].

With that pain, inevitable, comes emotional reactions and expressions. My wife fights this pain every day. Some days are a victory and some days are not. But her expressing that pain on those particular days when she is vulnerable, sad, and at a loss, should not be used as an attack against her character.” first time Catelynn and Tyler visited with Carly, she was a baby. Catelynn says, “When Ty and I saw Carly for the first time, a year after we placed her, I was just super excited to spend time with her and see how Brandon & Teresa interacted with her. That was really important to us, watching them as parents, because it just made us feel good about who she was with.”

Neither Tyler nor Catelynn have shared any updates about visits planned with their birth daughter, Carly.

Contact Us to Learn More About Adoption

Working with an Adoption Agency

The canceled reunion that Tyler and Catelynn faced can serve as a lesson for those involved in an open adoption process. Sometimes, birth or adoptive families may reconsider – or a change of plans – when it comes to in-person reunions. As the child gets older, their wishes need to be taken into account. We do not know what Carly is feeling now that she is older. In these moments, it is best to turn to your adoption agency for guidance and support. An experienced adoption agency like Adoptions With Love can help birth and adoptive families work together to find solutions and arrangements that meet the needs of all involved, including the child. While a post-adoption agreement is a signed, legal document, the terms may be changed over the years. This can be beneficial to the evolving needs of a growing child and evolving relationship between birth and adoptive families.

If you would like to learn more about open adoption, contact Adoptions With Love today. We can help you, whether you would like to lovingly place your child for adoption or adopt a baby of your own. Call 24/7 for information: 800-722-7731 or contact us online.

If you would like to learn more about teen pregnancy and options for young, expectant parents, please download our free “Guide to Teen Pregnancy.” You may also contact Adoptions With Love at 1-800-722-7731 to learn about making an adoption plan.