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Influencer couple Jesse and Ashley Ridgway have revealed they are receiving death threats after sharing that they ended their pregnancy following a Down syndrome diagnosis.
The New Jersey-based pair announced earlier this week that doctors confirmed their unborn child had Trisomy 21. They described the decision to terminate as "extremely traumatic" and said they had thought carefully before proceeding.
Jesse explained that the backlash online has been overwhelming, with people calling them "murderous pieces of s***," comparing them to Hitler, and even using their dog's illness against them.
On Instagram, Jesse wrote that he had "never seen such hate and vitriol for two people grieving the loss of their unborn child and making an impossible decision." He said critics were using religion to justify threats, calling it hypocritical, and noted that many of those attacking them don't have children themselves.
He added, "There has been some heinous s*** said about my wife and I on some extremely large accounts. It baffles me that there are such trashy-ass people who have significant followings."
Ashley, who underwent the procedure earlier in the week, is recovering while also facing the online harassment. Jesse praised her resilience, saying she is "a bad-ass" for enduring both the trauma and the backlash.
The couple had shared their journey publicly, including a video of receiving the amniocentesis results. Jesse explained that they were blindsided during a gender reveal recording when they saw markers for Trisomy 21. He said they chose honesty with their audience, even though they knew the topic would spark strong reactions.
In his posts, Jesse outlined the health challenges associated with Down syndrome, including heart defects, hearing and vision problems, and developmental delays. He stressed that while some families choose to continue such pregnancies, their decision was different and personal. "This was ours and we can do that," he wrote, adding that he supports others who make different choices.
Despite the threats, Jesse said they have also received supportive messages and confessions from people who faced similar situations. He hopes that sharing their experience will encourage others to open up and feel less shame. "Thank you to everyone who has been supportive during this difficult time and defending our choice as parents," he concluded.
