Lawsuit Against Bountiful Baby
I have been a YouTube video creator since 2011. Since then, I have uploaded (to my channel) content that embraces my enjoyment for reborn dolls. Reborn dolls are a collectible heirloom piece (all hand painted) that are meant to look like lifelike babies. Not only do I collect these dolls, but I also make them myself. So, my videos on YouTube revolve around this world of reborn dolls.
In the last 8 years of uploading this kind of content and having an audience that connects with it, I have built a strong foundation over time (with 370,000 subscribers on YouTube and 40,000 followers on Instagram).
It has been a beautiful decade for me. I have met so many kind and wonderful people...and, it is all been due to the dolls! I have also connected with some of them so strongly - to the point where they feel like family. My social media accounts have been a blessing in so many ways.
Now...how did this lawsuit come about? (Update it has now been moved to Federal court where we are countersuing)
In early September 2019, I received messages from a couple of individuals that led me to hours upon hours of research. The research entailed an alleged connection between Bountiful Baby (a doll company I did most of my doll inventory shopping with) and the Kingston Bigamist Cult - also known as the Order.
I read articles online, watched videos on YouTube, and I also watched 'Escaping Polygamy' and 'Whistleblower ' (television programs that discuss the Kingston Group).
It was the Escaping Polygamy show that convinced me of the allegations that were presented to me.
After learning all of this (and more), I knew that I could no longer support Bountiful Baby.
Here are some of the things I have learned about the Kingston Group (also known as the Order) that Bountiful Baby is allegedly connected to:
· The “Kingston Group ” or the “Order” is described as a secretive polygamous group
· Prominent members of the Order have gone to jail for abusing teenage girls
· Members who escaped have reported teenage girls being forced to marry older family members
· Four Kingstons pled guilty to a $500 million tax-fraud scheme
“Escaping Polygamy” shows an image of Bountiful Baby while describing Kingston-owned companies
According to people who have escaped the Kingston Group, “Bountiful Baby is owned by the Order.”
I decided that I needed to share this news with my fellow reborn collectors, artists, and enthusiasts. I felt like it was my responsibility to make people aware of where their money might be going to and what it might be funding.
Why did I feel like it was my responsibility to shed light on this?
Because, I would have felt completely terrible if someone else found out about it later on - and, knew that I knew all along and never shared the information with anyone! I would feel dishonest and like I robbed my fellow reborn friends the chance to make that decision for themselves.
So...now I’m being sued by the owners of Bountiful Baby for sharing what I learned and their alleged connection to the Kingston Group/ the Order. They accuse me of “defamation,” or spreading lies.
And, we have never accused the owners of Bountiful Baby, Nevin and Denise Pratt, of abusing teenage girls or defrauding the government. That’s not our point!
People who have escaped the Kingston polygamous group say that Bountiful Baby is owned by the Kingstons. So, that’s also enough for us to not support Bountiful Baby. We don’t want to risk supporting a company that allegedly supports the Kingston Clan.
I am reaching out for help to raise money to defend myself. I am defending the content I have shared with you, and the fact that I did not defame Bountiful Baby (or Nevin Pratt and Denise Pratt).
All of your donations will go towards paying my attorney fees.
Thank you very much for taking your time to read this. I am beyond thankful for you ~ especially in this time of need.
Thank you.
With my most sincere words,
Stephanie Ortiz
