A family that captured global attention through raw YouTube documentaries has now been fractured after state officials stepped in, removing three members from their longtime home in a remote corner of the Mountain State.

The Whittakers, residents of the tiny unincorporated community of Odd in Raleigh County, first exploded onto the internet in 2020 courtesy of filmmaker Mark Laita’s Soft White Underbelly channel. What started as a glimpse into their isolated existence quickly snowballed into millions of views, with videos racking up tens of millions of clicks as viewers tuned in for updates on their daily lives amid challenging circumstances.

But that spotlight appears to have come at a steep price. Betty Whittaker, 73, confirmed to reporters this week that her siblings Ray, 72, and Lorene, 79, along with nephew Timmy, 46, were taken from the family’s rundown property in September by West Virginia’s Adult Protective Services. The trio now resides under state guardianship in undisclosed alternative housing, leaving Betty and brother Larry, 69, behind with the family’s dogs in the cluttered cabin they’ve called home for decades.

“They just came and got them,” Betty said from the porch, surrounded by Halloween decorations and scattered belongings. She claimed uncertainty about the exact reasons but pointed to the relentless online exposure. Family members believe the flood of viral content – from Laita’s original films to copycat videos by other creators – drew unwanted scrutiny from authorities.

Larry echoed that sentiment, blaming content makers for profiting off their story. “People out there making money off them, and they don’t like it,” he told visitors. He added that protective services had issued warnings against further interviews, saying, “There’s too much stuff out there, they watching.”

A spokesman for the West Virginia Department of Human Services acknowledged awareness of the case but cited confidentiality in ongoing matters, declining further comment.

The Whittakers’ saga traces back generations in the Appalachian hills. Their lineage began with identical twin brothers Henry and John Whittaker in the late 1800s. The twins’ children married, setting off a pattern of close-kin unions that continued, including first cousins Gracie and John Whittaker tying the knot in 1935 and raising 15 children. Many in the current generation face significant physical and cognitive challenges, which Laita’s videos highlighted through unfiltered portrayals of their communication styles and living conditions.

Laita, who first photographed the family in 2004 for his book “Created Equal,” returned in 2020 to document them more deeply. Early encounters were tense – neighbors once greeted him protectively – but he built trust over time. His channel’s clips, titled everything from holiday visits to state fair outings, humanized the Whittakers while sparking debates about ethics in filming vulnerable subjects.

Donations poured in via GoFundMe, funding home repairs and basics after setbacks like a fire that destroyed part of their property. Yet fame also invited intruders: sightseers flocked to Odd, prompting warnings from Laita and locals to stay away.

The state intervention followed the lifting of a protective order against Larry’s daughter, Betty Jo “BJ” Whittaker Rocha, 47, who had been staying at the home. Past family dramas, including a hoax about Larry’s death for fundraising and petty theft charges involving BJ and Larry, added layers of complexity.

Critics have long questioned whether the YouTube exposure amounted to exploitation, with some outlets labeling it “poverty porn.” Supporters argue it shed light on overlooked rural struggles and brought tangible aid. Laita has defended his work, noting moments