DAYS OF OUR LIVES ADOPTION SHOCKER: JOHNNY AND CHANEL GET BABY TESORO—FANS ARE FURIOUS
TL;DR: Days of Our Lives officially gave baby Tesoro to Johnny DiMera and Chanel Dupree in a controversial adoption decision that has the fandom absolutely united in outrage, with fans convinced Mayor Paulina Price pulled strings to help her daughter while fan favorites Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez lost out despite being the more stable couple.
The adoption battle for baby Tesoro just ended with the outcome NOBODY wanted.
Well, almost nobody. Chanel got exactly what she demanded, and her mother made sure of it. But let’s talk about why this decision has longtime Days viewers ready to riot—because trust me, the backlash is INTENSE.
What Happened with the Baby Tesoro Adoption?
Johnny DiMera and Chanel Dupree officially adopted baby Tesoro (who they’re renaming John, because apparently Salem has a law against original baby names). The adoption went through despite massive fan opposition and concerns about the couple’s stability.
Here’s the thing. These two can’t go three episodes without a screaming match! Chanel literally runs to mama Paulina every single time they fight. They’ve been through Johnny’s demonic possession, a divorce, Chanel’s miscarriage after radioactive exposure, Johnny’s arrest for allegedly shooting his father EJ DiMera, and constant drama. Does that sound like a stable home for an infant?
And the timing? Absolutely gross. Sophia Choi, the baby’s birth mother, went through a complete mental breakdown after Johnny backed out of their private adoption agreement. Instead of showing compassion for this traumatized young woman, Johnny and Chanel only cared about how HER crisis would affect THEIR chances of getting the baby. Then they get rewarded with her child? That’s not heartwarming—that’s disturbing.
Did Paulina Price Pull Strings to Make This Happen?
Oh, you KNOW she did. Mayor Paulina Price has a well-documented history of using her power and influence to get what she wants, and this situation has her fingerprints all over it.
The spoilers confirmed that Chanel went directly to her mother asking for help, fully expecting Paulina to leverage her mayoral position. And surprise, surprise—Johnny and Chanel suddenly win the adoption over what was probably dozens of other qualified couples! What are the odds?
Fans are calling this exactly what it is: corruption. Where was the fair process? Where were the other applicants who didn’t have a mayor in their corner? They never stood a chance because Paulina made sure her precious daughter got what she wanted, regardless of who was actually best for that baby.
Why Did Fans Want Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez to Win?
Because Leo and Javi were OBVIOUSLY the better choice! While Johnny and Chanel fought and schemed, Leo Stark and Javi Hernandez actually CARED for baby Tesoro selflessly and proved themselves as the stable, loving couple this storyline deserved.
Javi is healing from the unimaginable trauma of losing his own infant daughter. Watching him bond with Tesoro has been genuinely beautiful and heartbreaking television. For Leo—a reformed con artist trying to be better—this represented his ultimate redemption arc. The chance to finally be the good man he’s been working so hard to become.
Fans watched these two men provide stability, unconditional love, and genuine nurturing care. Meanwhile, Johnny and Chanel can’t survive two days without explosive drama. The choice should have been simple. But instead, the writers went with the couple nobody wanted to win.
Can Aaron Greene Still Reverse This Adoption?
Legally? In the real world, probably not. Once adoption papers are signed and finalized, reversing them is extremely difficult.
But this is SALEM, people! Legal reality has never stopped a good custody battle before. Biological father Aaron Greene signed those papers, but if the writers want drama (and when don’t they?), they can absolutely create a storyline where he changes his mind. Maybe he learns about Paulina’s interference. Maybe he sees how unstable Johnny and Chanel really are. Maybe he just realizes he made a mistake.
The “best interests of the child” standard gets reinterpreted constantly in soap land to mean whatever creates the most conflict. And right now? Maximum conflict would be Aaron fighting to get his son back from this mess of an adoption.
What About That Dark Thomas DiMera Spoiler?
Oh, and speaking of disturbing storylines—spoilers hint that Thomas DiMera might be killed in a car accident. Yes, really. They’re potentially running over a child with a car because the actor left for another show. Even for Days, that’s DARK.
What’s Next for This Controversial Storyline?
Could this mean we’re headed for a custody battle? Don’t be surprised if Aaron Greene resurfaces with second thoughts, especially if the truth about Paulina’s interference comes out. Given Johnny and Chanel’s history of instability, this adoption might not be as permanent as they think.
This likely leads to months of legal drama, with Leo and Javi potentially thrown back into the mix. If I know these writers, they’re setting up an even bigger custody war that will make this adoption controversy look tame.
The fans have spoken loudly and clearly: this outcome feels wrong. Whether the show listens remains to be seen.
Catch all the must-know Days of Our Lives spoilers and updates here.
