A viral video of two gay men Logan Riley and Brandon Mitchell, with their newborn surrogate son has taken a disturbing turn after it was confirmed that one of the “fathers” is a convicted child sex offender.

One half of the celebrated gay surrogacy influencer couple on TikTok, Mitchell is reported to be a former high school teacher.

Reddit reported that records from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and Downingtown Police Department, revealed Mitchell was arrested on 3 February 2016 after a months-long investigation into his conduct with a 16-year-old male student at Downingtown West High School. while he was a chemistry teacher.

Stating further that the then 30, had exchanged over 12,000 text messages with the victim between May 2013 and December 2014.

Police found that Mitchell had solicited nude photographs from the student, sent approximately 20 nude photographs of himself, and told the victim he wanted to watch him engage in sexual acts.

While Mitchell is a Tier 1 sex offender in the state of Pennsylvania, the state does not automatically forbid individuals convicted of sex crimes from having children, gaining custody, or exercising parental rights,” Pennsylvania State Police confirmed.

However, the case is now prompting renewed scrutiny over the lack of safeguarding and background checks in American surrogacy arrangements.