The Whittaker family – who live in the village of Odd, 75 miles south of Charleston in West Virginia – rose to fame in a series of videos by filmmaker Mark Laita. Shared on Laita’s YouTube Channel, Soft White Underbelly, the videos have received more than 74.2 million views.
Cousins within the family have been marrying and having children for many generations, going back to at least 1819. While some members have married outside of their family, others have chosen to marry within the clan.
However, this is thought to have caused genetic complications. Some members of the family have mental impairments and physical abnormalities.
Family matriarch Betty and her siblings Lorene, Ray, Larry and Kenneth are the children of double first cousins – first cousins, twice, because they share both sets of grandparents.
Now, in his latest video, Laita reveals that family patriarch Larry has a new great-grandson, young Braxton. The baby can be seen smiling as great-grandmother Betty bounces him on her knee.
The boy’s father is Brandon, 20, a mine maintenance worker. In the video, Brandon tells Laita that he drove to visit the family that day with the child and his brother. It is not clear who the child’s mother is.
Laita has been in contact with the family for more than 20 years. In the early 2000s he said was initially met by “protective” neighbours with a shotgun. He told the Koncrete podcast: “They don’t like people coming to ridicule these people.”
However, the Whittakers now appear to view Laita as a dear family friend – and look delighted to see him, in the latest video, where he takes them to the West Virginia County Fair.
While some have accused Laita’s films of being exploitative, others have praised him for treating the family with respect – and showing “what a strong, healthy family dynamic the Whittakers have”.
And Laita has also raised tens of thousands of dollars for the family with GoFundMe appeals. He hopes to help them buy a new home.
Commenting on the latest video, @TripleXXXLady-im5it said: “Every moment of this video is extremely touching. Your acceptance, love, and care of this family is exceptionally endearing.
“Documenting your time spent with the Whittakers is enlightening all of us to be more kinder and thoughtful people. May God watch over this unique and loving family with extra care because they’re so deserving of it. Your own personal goodness is so special. God sees it, and so do we. It’s a blessing to the Whittakers and our world.”
And @damionduffy3625 commented: “When Ray put his arms out for a hug it warmed my heart it’s so great to see the rapport Mark has with the Whittaker’s after all these years.”
@rachelwarner5564 wrote: “less this family! They are so sweet and their hearts are so pure. Mark, you have shown them new experiences at the fair and they have loved every minute. The joy on their faces is priceless”
@JM8T commented: “I love watching a group of people that share a bond so strong that they are only concerned about one another. zero concerns about anyone else at that fair besides one another. it looks like they had so much fun. I love this.”
Noting how the family has progressed since the earlier videos, @beastinshow2362 commented: “The difference between this visit, and one of Mark’s first times by their porch, is just night and day.
“Back then, they were in soiled clothes, and barely anyone was able to speak a word, they were so derelict. Now they have their grandsons over, Ray’s beaming proud of his new shoes, and they’re much more outgoing.
“You’ve helped them so much Mark, and I’m happy to have been along for the ride thus far as a subscribing member. Thank you for all the great that you do!”
And West Virginian @elizabethtolbertlastaseh356 said the family are a “state treasure”. She wrote: “We love them. Their disabilities are no fault of their own. They didn’t choose their parents any more than you did.”
Commenting on an earlier video – Whittakers-Summer 2023 – @remembermichael6 said: “The first time I watched these videos I was so ignorant, I looked at these people as if they weren’t human. I admit that.
“This video really shows me what a strong, healthy family dynamic the Whittakers have. Not only with how they treat each other but their dogs too. Wonderful people.”
And @akilahm4 echoed those sentiments, commenting: “This family is so sweet and kind and even though they don’t have much, they have each other and love and it’s truly touching. The dogs even show how happy they are always wagging their tails and you can tell they feel the love. I truly hope they are able to get the house, they deserve a big piece of more happiness in life.”
