From Dream Marriage to Living Nightmare: One Family’s Journey Through Betrayal

A Promising Beginning Shattered by Betrayal

Stacey Rutherford thought she had struck gold when she married Justin Rutherford, a respected local physician, in 2019. After struggling to find love as a single mother of two, Stacey was charmed by the medical student she met on a dating app in 2015. Unlike previous men who had shown little interest in her children, Justin seemed genuinely invested. “He was actually interested in getting to know us. He asked about what we liked, what we wanted to do with our lives. He would throw a football around with us,” recalled Tyler VanScyoc, Stacey’s son. Their blended family grew with the addition of two more children, and Stacey believed she had finally achieved the perfect home life. But beneath the veneer of domestic bliss lurked a horrifying reality that would come crashing down in the summer of 2021, when a teenage friend of Tyler’s discovered a hidden camera disguised as a phone charger in the family bathroom. This shocking discovery would unravel a web of abuse, betrayal, and criminal behavior that had been festering beneath their seemingly ideal life.

The Horrifying Discovery and Devastating Revelations

The hidden camera had captured thousands of intimate photos of people showering, using the bathroom, and changing their clothes. What began as a violation of privacy quickly escalated into something far more sinister. During the police investigation, a friend of Tyler’s revealed that Justin had sexually assaulted him during a sleepover while under the influence of alcohol. This confession prompted Tyler to share his own devastating truth – his stepfather had been sexually molesting him since he was just 11 years old. “I didn’t think there was any courage there in my speaking out,” Tyler explained. “I felt like I had to. And I think the more that I shared what happened to me, the more I was no longer letting it eat me alive.” For Tyler, coming forward was complicated by the complex relationship he had developed with his abuser. “When he wasn’t doing what he did to me, or wasn’t in his, I guess you would say, monster mode or whatever, he would act like a good dad,” the now 20-year-old shared. “He built a connection with me, made me trust him, and made me love him as well. I think that’s a lot of what he used against me.”

A Mother’s Unimaginable Guilt and Shattered Trust

For Stacey, the revelations brought overwhelming feelings of guilt and failure as a parent. “There’s a lot of shame and guilt,” she admitted to Fox News Digital. “You always think, as a mom, if you know your kids so well, and you’re so close to them, how did you not see that something was broken?” What made the situation even more painful was that she had been specifically cautious about introducing men into her children’s lives, fearing exactly the scenario that had unfolded. “When I was dating, my big fear was that somebody was going to hurt my children, and I would’ve been the one to bring that into their lives,” she reflected. “Knowing that I brought him into their world, knowing that the only reason he was in their world was because of me? Yes, I carried a lot of guilt.” The 47-year-old mother explained that she had no prior experience with abuse, which left her ill-equipped to recognize the warning signs. “I wasn’t abused as a child. I didn’t know any friends who were abused. That just wasn’t something I knew about… I should have known about those kinds of things, but I didn’t. Guilt has been the silent killer.”

From Fugitive to Murder Plot: Justice Unfolds

Following the initial revelations, Justin fled to Europe but was arrested upon his return to Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Yet even behind bars, his evil machinations continued. While awaiting trial, he attempted to orchestrate Tyler’s murder through letters to a close family friend, according to police. “I was completely devastated,” said Stacey, fighting back tears. “I knew he wasn’t who I thought he was, but this was something I could never have imagined. It changed all of our lives. It made me realize just how ugly this world is.” The betrayal has left lasting psychological scars on the family. Stacey confessed, “I don’t think I’ve slept the same since all of this happened. How do I know he’s not in there, still trying to take revenge on my son? All it takes is for one person there to believe him, to think he’s a doctor with a lot of money. I’m always looking over my shoulder.” In 2023, justice finally came when Justin was sentenced to 26 years and 10 months to 70 years in prison for his crimes against the children. He later received an additional concurrent sentence of five to 10 years for the murder-for-hire plot against his stepson.

Reclaiming Their Narrative and Moving Forward

The process of healing and reclaiming their lives has been complex for the Rutherford family. Even simple tasks like reviewing old family photos for the documentary brought painful new perspectives. “Tyler was always a big snuggler, and he would snuggle on the couch with me. He’d snuggle on the couch with Justin. Looking at the photos now, it makes me sick,” Stacey shared. “When I initially took them, I thought they were very sweet photos of my children being loved by a stepparent.” She struggles to balance her current knowledge with the innocent memories they once represented: “I’m trying not to take every single memory and twist it. I’m trying to let it be what it was for us at the time.” Initially, the family kept quiet about their ordeal after Justin’s conviction, but they’ve now chosen to share their story in the ABC News Studios’ true crime docuseries streaming on Hulu, “Betrayal: Under His Eye.” Their hope is that by speaking out, they might help other survivors find their voice and encourage parents to remain vigilant.

Breaking the Silence to Help Others

The Rutherfords’ decision to share their traumatic experience publicly stems from their desire to shatter misconceptions about child abuse and to empower others. “Have conversations with your kids,” Stacey urged. “It’s not only creepy weirdos who molest kids. This stuff goes on inside good homes. It can happen anywhere. It can happen inside your home. I never thought something like this would happen to me.” Their story serves as a sobering reminder that predators can be found in the most unexpected places – even in the form of respected professionals and seemingly devoted family members. By bravely recounting their journey through this unimaginable betrayal, the Rutherfords hope to prevent other families from experiencing similar trauma. They demonstrate that while healing from such profound betrayal is difficult, speaking truth to power is an essential step toward reclaiming one’s life and protecting others from harm. Their courage in sharing their story offers a beacon of hope for survivors and a crucial warning for parents about the importance of open communication and awareness.