Chris Rooney is best known as lovable “Uncle Chris” on TikTok, where he boasts 5.7 million followers.
But the 26-year-old recently went missing on July 25 after viewing the controversial film “Sound of Freedom” and promoting online fundraisers in an attempt to aid the fight against child trafficking, the film’s subject.
The film, which was released on July 4, has been criticized for alleged factual inaccuracies and rumored ties to the conspiracy-theorizing group QAnon.
When Rooney reappeared on Aug. 3, he checked himself into a mental health facility, according to his family’s statement posted online Wednesday to his 1.4 million Instagram followers.
Rooney was “visibly not in his right mind” at the time of his disappearance, his family said.
“After several hours of not knowing if he was alive or dead, we got word that he had checked himself into a mental health facility,” they confirmed in the statement, adding they were “afraid for his life.”
While they’re aware fans are concerned for Rooney’s well-being, his family urged followers to wait until the internet sensation is “healthy and ready to share his experiences.”
The content creator skyrocketed to fame for his laugh-out-loud videos featuring his niece, Marleigh, and nephew, Jack, in 2020 under the moniker “theyeeetbaby.”
His most viral clips — some of which scored tens of millions of views — typically feature his desperate attempts to teach the toddlers how to pour liquids into glasses on their own, often ending in spillage and defeat.
Marleigh and Jack’s parents, Alexandra and Tyler Grant, have helped run the @theyeetbaby Instagram page.
Despite recent controversy about the practice of posting pictures or videos of young children online, Rooney’s fanbase remained steadfast.
On Wednesday, his family shared an update about Rooney’s whereabouts and condition after his fans expressed “genuine concern.” The post explained the TikTok sensation had a “difficult” six months after separating from his wife, Emily.
According to Rolling Stone, Rooney had openly talked about his marital hardships online.
According to a since-removed clip posted to Rooney’s personal TikTok account, an online troll blamed “alcohol” for their alleged divorce.
Responding to the anonymous user, Rooney denied the accusation and said similar comments “trigger” him.
“They make me an angry person,” he said in the video, which was reposted to Reddit nearly two weeks ago. “So please don’t make me an angry person.”
His personal TikTok account seems to have been deleted entirely, while his personal Instagram profile has been scrubbed his posts, save for a “Sound of Freedom” fundraiser screenshot and the family’s statement regarding his well-being.
Rooney’s family said that leading up to the TikToker’s disappearance, he was “not acting like the Chris we know and love.”
A note from Rooney was added to the end of the family’s statement online, sharing his gratitude for the “love and prayers” from followers that “has brought me out of some very low times.
“Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do to help me,” he continued. “It is something that I have to work on and am going to make it my life’s mission to not only get myself healthy but also others.”
He added: “If there is one thing I have learned during this time, there are a lot of hurting people in this world and I am going to do everything I can to help them.”
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