Mama June Faces Legal Battle as Anna Cardwell’s Ex Michael Sues for Custody of Daughter Kaitlyn

Mama June Faces Legal Battle as Anna Cardwell’s Ex Michael Sues for Custody of Daughter Kaitlyn

Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell’s ex-husband, Michael Cardwell, has sued June Shannon for custody of his ex’s firstborn child, Kaitlyn, following the 29-year-old’s death. 

Michael was married to the “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” alum from 2014-2017. 

Michael filed the lawsuit against “Mama June” on Sunday, December 17, a little more than a week after his ex-wife passed away following a 10-month battle with cancer. According to documents obtained by In Touch, Michael is asking a Georgia court for custody of the 11-year-old, whom Anna had with a previous partner. He identified Kaitlyn’s father as man named Caleb Clark, but alleged that paternity was never confirmed by a DNA test, nor has Clark supported Anna or Kaitlyn in the past. 

Michael stated in the lawsuit that he has “fully and completely undertaken a permanent, unequivocal, committed, and responsible parental role” in the pre-teen’s life and has “engaged in consistent caretaking of the child and established a bonded and dependent relationship with the child.” He also  alleged that Anna supported his relationship with Kaitlyn. Michael and Anna shared an 8-year-old daughter, Kylee. 

Michael pointed to the former couple’s post-divorce visitation arrangement, which included time with both Kylee and Kaitlyn. He also argued that he is financially supporting of Kaitlyn’s education. Michael noted Anna’s past strained relationship with her mother, who took Kaitlyn in after her daughter’s death. June reportedly plans to become Kaitlyn’s legal guardian, per a December 12 report by TMZ.  

“Anna has been raised by her maternal grandmother in Griffin, Georgia, since she was approximately eight years old and only returned to the home of June Shannon when she was 17,” the court docs stated. “Anna has had a very sordid relationship with her mother throughout her life and went various periods of time without speaking to her. Likewise, June’s presence in the minor child’s life has been inconsistent.”

Michael argued in conclusion — “Petitioner is the only living person that has shown a constant and continuous interest in the minor child’s well-being, and being in the custody of the petitioner will be in the child’s best interest.”

June was served with paperwork on December 17, according to court docs. The WeTV star refuted the claim that she had been served on Monday, December 18, via a statement to TMZ. She promised to “see [Michael] in court” and claimed that Kaitlyn wanted to remain with her and husband, Justin Stroud. The “Mama June: Road to Redemption” star also claimed that Anna wanted Kaitlyn to remain under her care. 

June said — “At the end of the day, the girls have lost their mother so why put them through this.”

Kylee moved in with Michael after Anna’s death, as planned by her mother  following her January adrenal carcinoma diagnosis, TMZ reported. The outlet added that Anna’s husband of nine months at the time of her passing, Eldridge Toney, plans to remain involved in both Kaitlyn and Kylee’s lives. 

 

Stay Connected With All About The Tea: Twitter Ι Instagram Ι YouTube Ι Facebook Ι Send Us Tips