Former reality television personality Maci Bookout marked a major family milestone this week, celebrating the 18th birthday of her oldest son, Bentley, via social media on Wednesday. The milestone prompted expressions of disbelief from longtime followers who watched the teenager grow up on television.
“And just like that my baby Bentley is 18 years old!” Bookout, 35, captioned an Instagram video compilation featuring photographs of Bentley through the years, including multiple images showing the young man towering over his mother. “Being your mom is the greatest gift of my life, and I’m so proud of you Benny! We’re not done yet, but we sure did that kid, I love you!”
Fans flooded the comments section with reflections on the passage of time, recalling when Bentley was first introduced to viewers as a newborn on the reality series “16 and Pregnant” in 2009. Bookout welcomed Bentley in October 2008 with her then-fiancé, Ryan Edwards. Following their debut, the couple joined the original cast of “Teen Mom” in December 2009 before splitting up in 2010.
Following the separation, Bookout raised Bentley independently. She later married motocross racer Taylor McKinney in 2016, with whom she shares two younger children: daughter Jade, 11, and son Maverick, 10.
Meanwhile, Edwards faced well-documented legal troubles and struggles with substance abuse over the years. In 2018, Bookout secured a two-year restraining order against him following his arrest on heroin-related charges. Edwards was subsequently fired from the reality franchise in 2021, an exit Bentley later described to media as a “huge relief.”
Bookout stated in 2022 that she did not foresee a traditional co-parenting dynamic developing, noting that any active role in Bentley’s life remained entirely up to Edwards. A judge later ordered Edwards to seek treatment for substance abuse in March 2023 following further legal issues involving his then-wife, Mackenzie Standifer. By September 2023, Bookout remarked that her son felt angry regarding his father’s addiction struggles.
Relations between father and son appeared to shift during an April 2025 episode of “Teen Mom: The Next Chapter,” when Edwards apologized to Bentley for his absence throughout his childhood. Edwards also expressed that he no longer harbored resentment toward Bookout for restricting contact during his heaviest addiction struggles, telling his son, “16 years later, here we are. I’m sorry it took us so long, but it’s better now than ever.”
