| “ | It’s just a prank, bro! | ” |
―DaddyOFive | ||
DaddyOFive was an American YouTube channel owned by Michael Christopher "Mike" Martin (born: December 17, 1982) known for its controversial prank videos that consisted of child abuse.
The channel reached significant controversy in 2017, after the extent of the extreme abuse the children suffered — especially that experienced by Cody, and to a lesser extent, Alex — was exposed by several high profile YouTubers.
Aftermath[]
On July 7, 2017, Mike uploaded a video called "DaddyOFive channel UPDATE!!" saying thank you for all the "love and support" from his "fans", and also saying that the channel wasn't dead and would be returning soon. On September 14, 2017, Heather (Michael's wife, through her channel named MommyOFive) uploaded a video titled "BIG NEWS ABOUT DaddyOFive!!" and they announced that they would no longer upload videos on the DaddyOFive channel.
They continued to make videos on MommyOFive and renamed the channel to FamilyOFive, where Mike made daily family vlogs, with his stepchildren (Alex, Ryan, and Jake). Emma and Cody had since been removed from Mike's custody and were returned to their biological mother. Heather and Mike conceived their first biological child, a son named Michael Martin Jr., in June 2021.
Termination[]
On July 18, 2018, DaddyOFive, along with FamilyOFive, were terminated, apparently due to the repeated display of child abuse, and violating YouTube's Community Guidelines, which they had been known for violating a year before the channels were terminated. When Mike tried to use the FamilyOFive Gaming channel, it got terminated for ban evasion.
Attempted Comeback[]
Despite their final termination, the Martins continued to post videos on their official website behind a monthly $5 subscription fee and continued streaming gaming videos on their Twitch channel.
In November 2018, the Martins kids created a new YouTube channel called The Martin Boys with no parents. At some point in 2020, the channel was renamed to The Martin Family as Mike and his wife also started to appear in the videos more, but is still mainly used by the Martin kids.
As the Martin kids own the channel and not their parents, YouTube has allowed them to keep the channel running. However, should Mike try to take over the channel for himself, it will get terminated for ban evasion.[citation needed] So far, the channel is still active.
On January 8, 2019, Mike Martin was accused of allegedly uploading a video in August 2018, featuring Cody. Despite breaking a major probation rule, the Martins' supervised probation was reduced to probation before judgment.
The Martins also deleted all of the videos on their website. They stated:
| “ | In order to move on with the healing process from the 2017 events, we have AGREED WILLINGLY to remove our videos, from even this site. For the sake and well being of our family, Mike and I feel it is best that we take a long break from the public spotlight. | ” |
―DaddyOFive | ||
In June 2019, it was reported that Mike started a SoundCloud channel, uploading his music as "Mikey M". Jake also has a SoundCloud account as JMartin.