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UPDATE — 6/4/26, 1:22 p.m. ET: Tyler Baltierra is clarifying his comments about Amanda Conner and Catelynn Lowell.
“I was not comparing addiction to adoption. I was comparing society’s empathy, awareness & understanding towards addicts and birthmothers,” Baltierra, 34, wrote via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, June 3. “This was in no way to ‘shade’ Amanda AT ALL. I would never shame anyone in recovery. If you listen to the whole episode, I say it multiple times how I wish her & her family nothing but healing.”
According to the Teen Mom star, his comments were a “simple observation of societal/cultural differences when it comes to how we sympathize with addicts who are suffering vs how we sympathize with birthmothers who are suffering.”
“I’m the first one to know the affects [sic] of addiction & the struggles that come along with recovery,” he added. “I’m proud of [Amanda] for seeking help & I’m rooting for her.”
Original story below:
Teen Mom’s Tyler Baltierra is openly wondering why fans seem to be sympathizing with Amanda Conner following her arrest for an alleged DUI, but not with his wife, Catelynn Lowell, amid the challenges of adoption.
“One thing that always shocks me though is that the comments are, ‘She’s struggling and this is part of addiction and relapse is part of recovery and she’s going through a hard time right now. Please get better,’” Baltierra, 34, shared on the May 27 episode of the “Cate & Ty Break It Down” podcast. “All of this sentimental, empathetic, sympathizing, which is great. I think we as a society have learned more about what that looks like and how it affects people. I’m glad that society is more sympathetic.”
News broke on May 24 that Conner was arrested and charged with child abuse/neglect for allegedly driving under the influence with a baby in the car. She also was charged for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road.
Days later, Conner broke her silence on the arrest, confirming that she relapsed after three years of sobriety.
“I have let you all down and I’ve let my family down,” she said via TikTok on May 27. “Just saying that out loud, just letting it be known, it’s just so uncomfortable, it’s shameful, I’m disappointed, I feel guilty, scared. I’m not perfect.”
Conner’s bond was set for $16,000. Following her release, she was ordered not to contact the alleged child victim.
In his latest podcast episode with Lowell, 34, Baltierra couldn’t help but point out the different comments Conner received compared to the times his wife has opened up about her journey with adoption. (Baltierra and Lowell placed their daughter Carly for adoption when they were both 16. Carly is now 17 years old and has no contact with her birth parents, per Baltierra and Lowell.)
“It’s interesting that we’re talking about a woman in recovery who relapsed and during that relapse, put her child in danger and herself in danger,” Baltierra claimed. “She gets this amount of empathy and sympathy because she is struggling with this addiction problem. At the same time, my wife will make a post — who is sober, a great mom — about how hard it is that she can’t see the baby she relinquished out of desperation for her birthday. The comments of that vs. this always blows my mind.”
He continued, “It’s just a representation of how adoption is still in the shadows and mental health in general of adoption. How is it possible that a woman who endangered her children because she’s a drug addict gets more sympathy and empathy over a birth mother who relinquished out of desperation, talking about missing her on her birthday?”
Although Conner has not publicly commented on her arrest, she admitted in a TikTok video that she is currently dealing with the “consequences’ of her actions.
“It’s not going to be polished, it’s going to be authentic, real and what happens in my life when you relapse and do stupid s***, there’s consequence,” she said. “We’re not going to give up, we’re going to fight and we’re going to get back on track. So with that said, we’re going to get ready to go meet the lawyer, so stay tuned.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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