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'NOT SAFE'

Teen Mom Jenelle Evans says son Jace, 11, set fire to mom Barbara’s home in ‘out of control’ behavior during custody war

TEEN Mom Jenelle Evans claimed her son Jace, 11, set fire to her mom Barbara’s home and has had “out of control” behavior in their nasty custody war. 

In North Carolina court papers exclusively obtained by The Sun, , 29, filed for sole custody of her troubled son Jace and asked the court to grant emergency custody to her on January 28, 2021.  

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Jenelle Evans has filed for primary custody of her son Jace, 11
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Jenelle Evans has filed for primary custody of her son Jace, 11Credit: MTV

Barbara currently has primary physical and legal custody of Jace, as , after she signed over custody of her son to her mother in June 2010. 

According to the custody filing, Jenelle claimed there has been a “substantial change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the minor child” that warrants a change in the custody agreement. 

The former star claimed Jace is “at risk of bodily injury” in the care of his grandmother, which is why she is filing for emergency custody. 

Jenelle alleged Jace has had “increasingly worse behavior problems that cause him to be physically aggressive, out of control and unsafe.”

Jenelle currently has visitation with Jace, as Barbara has full custody
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Jenelle currently has visitation with Jace, as Barbara has full custodyCredit: YouTube
Jenelle claimed Barbara 'cannot control' Jace's 'behaviors'
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Jenelle claimed Barbara 'cannot control' Jace's 'behaviors'Credit: MTV

The YouTuber claimed Barbara told her she “cannot control the minor child’s behaviors.”

Barbara was instructed by his health care provider “multiple times” to call a crisis hotline or go to the Emergency Department if Jace’s “aggression escalates,” Jenelle alleged in the filing. 

Jenelle noted an alleged December 19, 2020 incident where Jace and Barbara “argued throughout the day.”

The court papers claimed: “The minor child physically assaulted [Barbara] twice causing injury to [Barbara.] The Minor child also burned the carpet because he was angry with [Barbara]. 

Jenelle claimed Jace 'burned the carpet' in Barbara's home and 'physically assaulted her twice'
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Jenelle claimed Jace 'burned the carpet' in Barbara's home and 'physically assaulted her twice'Credit: Instagram
Jenelle claimed Barbara did not seek professional help for Jace after the incidents
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Jenelle claimed Barbara did not seek professional help for Jace after the incidentsCredit: MTV

“The minor child has a history of starting fires in the home of [Barbara].”

Jenelle claimed her mother “did not contact the crisis line or seek any treatment or professional help for the minor child during this incident.”

The JE Cosmetics owner alleged Barbara reached out to Jenelle for help with Jace. 

Jenelle claimed that on December 20, 2020, she at the consent of Barbara. 

Jenelle said her son's behavior 'improves substantially' in her care
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Jenelle said her son's behavior 'improves substantially' in her careCredit: Jenelle Evans Instagram

Jenelle, who is also mom to Kaiser, 6, with ex-fiance Nathan Griffith and Ensley, 4, with husband , said Jace’s behavior “improves substantially” in her care and that they “do not struggle with conflict or aggression.”

She said her son stayed with her until January 18, 2021, when Barbara allegedly backed out on their new custody agreement for Jace to live with her full time and demanded he be returned to her home.

The filing continued: “[Barbara] cannot manage the minor child’s behavior without assistance from [Jenelle] and the conflict in [Barbara’s home] has resulted in domestic violence between [Barbara] and [Jace].

“It is not safe or healthy for the minor child to remain in the custody of [Barbara] as [Barbara] is not properly treating the minor child’s mental health or managing his behaviors.”

Jenelle said it is 'not safe or healthy' for Jace to be in Barbara's care
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Jenelle said it is 'not safe or healthy' for Jace to be in Barbara's careCredit: MTV
Jenelle claimed she is 'fit and proper' to have sole custody
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Jenelle claimed she is 'fit and proper' to have sole custodyCredit: MTV

Jenelle said she is “fit and proper” to have sole legal and physical custody of Jace, while Barbara is “not fit and proper to have the care, custody and control of [Jace] due to her lack of ability to properly care for the child and ensure he has a safe home environment.”

She then brought up Jace’s father, Andrew Lewis, claiming he “abandoned” their son and has “failed to maintain any contact with [her] or the child since before the child was one year old.”

She asked for any visitation between Barbara and Jace to be “therapeutic in natural until they are able to appropriately manage the conflict in their relationship.”

Jenelle requested the court issue an emergency custody order for Jace to be transferred to her care “immediately.”

Jenelle accused her mom of 'blocking' Jace from her at that time
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Jenelle accused her mom of 'blocking' Jace from her at that timeCredit: MTV

The former since she demanded the child return to her custody on or about January 18, 2021."

The court papers continued to allege: “In fact, [Barbara] has currently blocked all contact from [Jenelle.]”

Jenelle requested her mother be held in contempt of court for going against their 2017 order and blocking visitations, which means Barbara would pay a fine or receive jail time. 

Barbara responded by requesting Columbus County Department of Social Services provide her attorney with documents, including medical records and psychological evaluations, for review. 

Barbara has requested DSS records in the case
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Barbara has requested DSS records in the caseCredit: MTV

A court hearing set for earlier this month has been continued to a later date. 

Jace’s behavioral problems have been discussed on Teen Mom 2. 

On a 2016 reunion episode, Barbara revealed Jace was diagnosed with ADHD and is on medication to control the disorder. 

Jenelle said of her fears: “The medicine he’s taking, it’s a controlled substance, and I’m afraid when he gets older, if he’s still on it, if his friends are like, ‘Let me get some of that.’”

Jenelle revealed she has Jace full time in January, which her mom denied
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Jenelle revealed she has Jace full time in January, which her mom deniedCredit: MTV

Only one week before the motion for custody filing, Jenelle . 

She said in a TikTok video: “I have custody of Jace. He lives with me now full-time. My kids are happy, they’re healthy.”

But Barbara in an interview. 

Jenelle then posted a .

Jenelle said her mother 'couldn't handle' the pre-teen
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Jenelle said her mother 'couldn't handle' the pre-teenCredit: MTV

She claimed: “Jace was with me the past week because of his behavior. It was really bad… My mom couldn’t handle it. His behavior was horrible. The things he was doing was horrible. That’s all we’re saying about that. 

“My mom couldn’t handle it. She’s been calling me all the time to pick him up. He wouldn’t do his school work. I’m the only one who could make him do his school work.

“'Next time you act up you’re coming to my house, you’re going to be living here' and my mom agreed. She said, 'I can’t do this anymore.' Things are getting really bad. He’s cussing a lot. I don’t know where he gets it from because he’s definitely not getting it from my house.”

Jenelle said he had been with her for one to two weeks and was doing his school work. 

Jenelle said in January that it is 'time to get lawyers involved'
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Jenelle said in January that it is 'time to get lawyers involved'Credit: Jenelle Eason

She continued: “She agreed for him to live with me. Now she’s trying to make me look like a dumba**. Now she’s taking it all back.

“My mom and Jace are not safe around each other. I’m sick and tired of everyone trying to make me look like the idiot when I am telling the complete truth.”

She then said it is “time to get lawyers involved.”

Jenelle signed over custody of Jace in 2010 when her mother filed for primary custody of the then-toddler. 

Jenelle signed custody of Jace over to her mom in 2010
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Jenelle signed custody of Jace over to her mom in 2010Credit: MTV
Jenelle is also mom to children Kaiser and Ensley
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Jenelle is also mom to children Kaiser and EnsleyCredit: MTV

At the time, Jenelle had been arrested for possession of marijuana, and breaking and entering. 

She completed a stint in rehab for marijuana use while on probation for the bust.

In May 2019, the children, along with David’s teen daughter Maryssa from a previous marriage, were removed from their care by Child Protective Services.

This came after David for nipping at their daughter Ensley. 

After a series of court hearings, the children were returned in July 2019. 

Teen Mom OG - Season 9

Season 9 was filmed as the outbreak of coronavirus hit America.

Who's in the cast this season?

Who are their boyfriends, husbands and baby daddies?

  • Amber Portwood's boyfriend
  • Catelynn Lowell's husband
  • Cheyenne Floyd's ex-boyfriend
  • Maci Bookout's husband
  • Mackenzie McKee's husband

Teen Mom OG 's aired on January 26th 2021 on MTV.

The shooting resulted in Jenelle’s firing from Teen Mom 2. 

READ MORE SUN STORIES

David was fired a year prior for homophobic social media comments. 

Jenelle and Barbara remain estranged today, though she has posted with Jace.

Jenelle was fired from Teen Mom 2 in 2019, one year before her husband's termination from the show
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Jenelle was fired from Teen Mom 2 in 2019, one year before her husband's termination from the showCredit: MTV
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