Kate Upton, the 32-year-old model and actress, turned to her Instagram followers on Friday to share a troubling story and seek advice from legal experts, law enforcement, and parents.
Upton’s post described a concerning scenario involving a father and his young daughter, prompting her to ask whether it constituted an emergency or a crime.
“Truly asking… lawyers/judges/advocates/law enforcement/parents,” Upton began her message on Instagram Stories. She then detailed the situation:
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“A Dad, recently out of rehab, is traveling alone with his 10-year-old daughter. He gets drunk and high on pills, says he has a gun on him, and threatens to SHOOT the taxi driver if he does NOT drop them off on the highway at midnight to walk home,” she wrote.
Upton continued, “Thankfully, the taxi driver refuses and would rather be shot than drop the little girl off on the highway.”
The model then posed questions to her followers: “Is this an emergency? A crime? Would you be scared for your child?”
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Upton did not clarify where the story originated or who shared it with her, leaving many to speculate about the situation’s authenticity and context.
Her public request for input, however, quickly gained attention online.
Known for her work as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model, Upton has largely avoided controversy in recent years.
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However, she faced backlash in 2019 over her association with Canada Goose, a company criticized by animal rights activists for using real coyote fur and goose feathers in its products.
Despite the criticism, Upton has maintained her focus on her career and family.
Upton has been married to MLB star Justin Verlander since 2017.
The couple first met in 2012, got engaged in 2016, and tied the knot shortly after Verlander helped lead the Houston Astros to a World Series victory.
They share a six-year-old daughter, Genevieve "Vivi" Upton Verlander.
In addition to her modeling career, Upton has expanded her portfolio in recent years.
She is the co-owner of Vosa Spirits, which produces canned vodka cocktails in a variety of flavors, and has made appearances in family programming, including a guest spot on Dreamworks Gabby and Friends alongside Laila Lockhart Kraner.
While the origins and context of the story Upton shared remain unclear, her decision to bring the matter to public attention highlights her concern for the safety of children in such situations.
Whether the incident was shared with her personally or came from another source, her post sparked discussions about accountability and intervention in potentially dangerous scenarios.
Upton’s Instagram post has yet to receive an official follow-up or clarification, leaving many followers awaiting further details.
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