Teen Mom couple Tyler Baltierra and Catelynn Lowell shared a loving tribute to their daughter Carly on her 17th birthday.
Taking to their shared Facebook account to post a TikTok created by Caitlynn, 34, the pair reflected on how much their daughter has grown after placing her for adoption in 2009 when they were 16 years old.
“17 years ago at 10:39 am you took your first breath,” the tribute read. “I can’t believe you are 17 years old today. The day you were born, my life changed forever. I knew from the moment I held you that you would always be one of the greatest blessings in my life. As you turn 17, I hope you know how loved you are and how proud I am of you. Never stop believing in yourself and chasing your dreams. The world is so much better because you are in it.”
Catelynn’s words were accompanied by a slide show of photos that captured her and Tyler, also 34, caring for Carly as a newborn and toddler in addition to spending time with her later on. (Carly’s adoptive parents, Brandon and Teresa Davis, initially agreed to an “open” adoption, as documented on MTV’s 16 & Pregnant, which involved Tyler and Catelynn seeing Carly in person once a year.)
“Happy 17th birthday,” the post concluded. “I love you more than words could ever explain.”
The post attracted a string of support from fans who praised the couple for their parental choices. “They are true parents because [it was] the ultimate sacrifice for her to have a better life than they could have given her at that time,” wrote one follower.
“Sobbing 🥺 Happy Birthday ❤️🩹 thank you for always sharing your story, I’m adopted and I’m still healing – never stop sharing ❤️,” wrote another follower.
Catelynn, who also shares daughters Novalee, 11, Vaeda, 7, and Rya, 4, with Tyler, frequently posts about Carly across her social media accounts. Earlier this month, she stood up for Carly after online trolls allegedly stole her prom photos and body-shamed her.
“I saw recently that a certain page — pages — are stealing Carly’s pictures from prom,” Catelynn said in a May 6 TikTok video. “First of all, I don’t agree with it. I think it’s ridiculous. Second of all, why do grown adults feel the need to comment on children’s and minor’s bodies? Um, first of all, saying that she looks like a skeleton, or she needs to eat cheeseburgers, or she’s too skinny.”
The reality TV star told Us Weekly exclusively in January 2025 that it’s important to her to keep publicly discussing Carly despite Brandon and Theresa switching the adoption to “closed” in 2023. “I want Carly to know that if she’s the one that still wants contact and it’s not happening, I will fight for that til the day I die or until she tells me it’s too hard for me to have contact,” Lowell told Us at the time. “But until that day, I want her to know that I am always here and always willing to do whatever I can.”
As for Tyler’s stance with Carly, he revealed on the April 27 episode of the “Cake For Dinner” podcast that he does not maintain very much personal contact with her. “As far as our relationship goes, we don’t really have one,” he said. “I set up an email for her that me and Cate will write to, and that’s pretty much the only way we’re maintaining any kind of communication.”
