Jesse Ridgway, Wife Terminate Pregnancy After Down Syndrome Diagnosis

After Jesse Ridgway and wife Ashley Ridgway decided to terminate their pregnancy due to their baby testing positive for Trisomy 21, the YouTuber slammed critics of their decision.

By Olivia Evans Jun 05, 2026 3:41 PM| Updated 4 minutes ago

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Jesse Ridgway and Ashley Ridgway are standing by their action.

After the YouTuber, known online as McJuggerNuggets, shared that he and his wife made the “difficult decision” to terminate their pregnancy due to the fetus testing positive for Trisomy 21, or the chromosomal condition that causes Down syndrome, he addressed the backlash.

“I’ve never seen such hate and vitriol for two people grieving the loss of their unborn child and making an impossible decision,” Ridgway wrote in a June 4 Instagram Story. “Many of the people throwing stones don’t even have children, let alone one with a condition and most likely will never do the things they say they’re going to do.”

Ridgway confirmed June 3 that he and his wife—whom he wed in October—decided to terminate their pregnancy two months after their fetus tested positive for Trisomy 21, noting that Down syndrome was an “objectively s--ty” diagnosis.

In his latest post, the 33-year-old expressed frustration in the response to what he called an “extremely traumatic” experience for them.

“If you can’t contribute anything meaningful to the conversation aside from insults then just don’t post,” he wrote. “On the other hand, there has been tremendous stories of people who kept their Down Syndrome baby and that’s awesome! Very courageous and they do look very happy! That is your choice and I support it. This was ours and we can do that.”

The YouTuber emphasized, “It’s very easy to accept the differences between us when it has no actual bearing on your life.”

Ridgway also expressed hope that sharing his and his wife’s story would shed light on what he believes is a common occurrence.

Jesse Ridgway/Instagram

“The reason this blew up is quite simple: IT’S BECAUSE NOBODY TALKS ABOUT IT,” he added. “I can’t blame people for not talking about these vulnerable experiences publicly because you see the disgusting backlash that ensues. It’s very divisive. Luckily, after 20 years on the Internet, this is par the course for me taking on the crazies, so I’m glad I can help further the conversation.”

Despite the disappointment in the public response to his story, Ridgway also stood by sharing it with the world.

“People still need to see vulnerability and hear the raw truth,” he added. “There is real suffering going on and it is being done in silence and fear.”

Before ending his statement, Ridgway also expressed gratitude for the people who have stood by him and his wife during this upsetting chapter.

“Thank you to everyone who has been supportive during this difficult time and defending our choice as parents,” he added. “It means more than you’ll ever know.”

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