Shivangi Sinha
In October 2021, when Mikayla Harris learned that the police had come to her home in Amity Township, Pennsylvania, she initially did not know much about the situation. It was only after speaking with her mother, Stacey Rutherford, that she discovered her stepfather, Justin Rutherford, had been secretly recording people. Eventually, her brother, Tyler VanScyoc, opened up to her and revealed that he had been a victim for years. For Mikayla, it was unimaginable to accept that the years of her life she had once considered blissful were in reality something entirely different. In Hulu’s ‘Betrayal: Under His Eye,’ Mikayla spoke out on behalf of her family and shared what they endured and how they have been working toward healing since then.
Mikayla Harris Found Out the Truth About Justin Rutherford After His Arrest
Mikayla VanScyoc was born in Illinois, but after her parents separated, she moved with her mother, Stacey Lynn, to West Virginia. There, she witnessed her mother meet Justin Rutherford and fall in love with him. Mikayla herself began to view him as a father figure. In 2019, when the family relocated to Amity Township, Pennsylvania, Mikayla was 17 years old. She was thrilled about the move, the spacious new home, and saw it as the start of many positive changes in their lives. That’s why, in August 2021, discovering that Justin had been secretly recording minors felt almost unimaginable to her. At the time, her then-boyfriend, Tom Harris, had also been living with them for a period, and Mikayla couldn’t shake the feeling that she had missed the warning signs.
A bigger shock came when Mikayla discovered that her brother, Tyler VanSyoc, had been one of Justin’s survivors and had endured years of abuse at his hands. She was devastated, feeling that she had failed to protect him, but she stood by Tyler in every way she could. It was to Mikayla that one of Tyler’s friends confided about also being a victim, and she immediately reported it to the police. Throughout it all, Mikayla stood firmly by her mother and the rest of her family in the most profound way. For her, it was the ultimate betrayal, as Justin was the man she had trusted, and seeing him finally brought to justice gave her a small measure of peace and justice.
Mikayla Harris is Working for Penn State Health Today
Mikayla Harris has built a strong professional profile in education, healthcare administration, and higher education leadership. She was eager to try different things, and her early professional experiences included positions in customer service and management. From April 2017 to April 2019, Mikayla served as a Team Manager at Arby’s in Reading, Pennsylvania, where she developed skills in leadership, communication, and customer service. She later moved to The UPS Store in Douglassville, Pennsylvania, working as an Assistant Manager from April 2019 to May 2021. Around the same time, she pursued her interest in education and worked as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher with KinderCare Learning Companies from July 2020 to May 2021.
After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology at Penn State Berks in 2021, she entered the workforce with roles that opened up the world to her. She transitioned into healthcare in June 2021 and joined Penn State Health as a Medical Office Associate. Within six months, her leadership qualities earned her a promotion to Medical Office Supervisor in December 2021, and she stayed in the position till September 2023. During this period, she honed her skills in team management, communication, and patient services. By September 2023, Mikayla had advanced into academic operations, becoming the Clinical Curriculum Operations Manager at Penn State College of Medicine, where she oversaw curriculum development and project management for medical education. Alongside this role, she also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant from December 2023 to March 2025, which embellished her profile.
Her career reached another milestone in March 2025, when she returned to Penn State Health as the Graduate Medical Education Coordinator II for the Surgery Residency Program. She continues to serve in this role and now works full-time supporting graduate medical training and advancing surgical education. In addition to her career, Mikayla has pursued higher education. She enrolled in the Master’s program in Higher Education at Penn State’s J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School in November 2023, where she maintained a 4.0 GPA. She graduated with flying colors in August 2025 and is proud of all her achievements. Mikayla also holds certifications, including the Mandated Reporting Certificate and CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Today, Mikayla Harris is recognized for her expertise in project management, curriculum development, and healthcare education administration.
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Mikayla Harris and Her Husband are Enjoying Life as Newlyweds
Mikayla Harris is someone who deeply values her family. Her mother, Stacey Ann, her brother, Tyler VanSyoc, and her two half-siblings remain her world, and she prioritizes being a constant and supportive presence in their lives. Whether it is celebrating special occasions, attending her brother’s graduation, or spending meaningful time together during holidays, Mikayla ensures that family is always at the heart of her commitments. She often credits them as her greatest support system. Her relationship with Tommy Harris has also grown beautifully and they got married on August 5, 2023. She celebrated every moment leading up to her big day, from the bridal shower and bachelorette party to the wedding itself, with her family and close friends.
Their honeymoon in the Caribbean was a joyful beginning to their married life, and Mikayla has taken her new role as part of Tommy’s family with warmth. She has built close ties with her in-laws and even shared memorable experiences, like going range shooting with Tommy’s grandfather. Alongside her family life, Mikayla continues to dedicate herself to meaningful causes. She volunteers with the Special Olympics and gives her time and compassion to a program close to her heart. Additionally, she serves as a Youth Group Leader at Lifeway Church, where she mentors and supports young members of the community.
