Jenelle Evans and David Eason Being Investigated for Potential Child Neglect After 14-Year-Old Son Ran Away (Again)

Jenelle Evans and her husband, David Eason, are currently being investigated by local authorities and Child Protective Services (CPS). The investigation was deemed necessary after Jenelle’s 14-year-old son ran away from home for the third time in two months – this time accusing his stepdad (Eason) of assault.

Authorities received a tip from Jenelle Evans’ mother, Barbara Evans, who had spoken to Jace (Jenelle’s 14-year-old son) earlier that day over a phone call. She says he called her from an unknown number and described how he ran away from home in an effort to hide from his stepdad, who he says assaulted him. 

Jace snuck out of his mother’s home through a window on Thursday (Sept. 28) and was reported missing by Jenelle – who told authorities he didn’t bring his cell phone (which explains why he called his grandma from an unknown number). He was found on Friday (Sept. 30) and was immediately taken to the hospital.  

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According to TMZ, Jace had ‘visible marks on his neck and arm’ when he was found by authorities and there is video evidence (and witnesses) of the alleged abuse. The assault allegedly occurred in front of someone else’s home and CPS has video footage from a Ring camera that they’re currently investigating.

This isn’t Jace’s first time running away. He first ran away on Aug. 15, which his mother downplayed as him being rebellious after having his phone taken away for disciplinary reasons. He ran away again on Aug. 28, but it was downplayed as him simply going to a nearby gas station without telling his mother. 

His latest runaway attempt caught the attention of authorities and, while no charges have been made, that’s not to say they aren’t exploring that option – especially if they have video evidence that proves any wrongdoing by David Eason. Of course, that all hinges on them having concrete evidence of assault. 

Jace is Jenelle Evans’ eldest child, who she shares with Andrew Lewis. Jace was born on Aug. 2, 2009 when Jenelle was 17 years old and filming 16 and Pregnant. She also shares a 9-year-old son, Kaiser, with her ex-boyfriend (Nathan Griffith) and a 6-year-old daughter, Ensley, with husband David Eason. 

Jenelle Evans Defends Herself and Her Family Amid Abuse Allegations

On Saturday (Sept. 30), Jenelle Evans took to social media and posted a video asking her followers and fans to respect her privacy during this time. “I just want privacy for me and my family right now,” she said before asking everyone not to badger her if she chooses not to address certain things on social media. 

On Tuesday (Oct. 3), Jenelle Evans posted another video on TikTok in response to a comment that read, “She literally lost him again.’ In the video, she confirmed that Jace was still in her custody and told her fans not to believe everything they read online – especially The Sun and The Ashley’s Reality Roundup.

Also on Tuesday (Oct. 3), Evans’ husband, David Eason, spoke out for the first time since being accused of child abuse. “It takes a sick person to spread lies on the internet about a child! Then the rest of you are sick for chiming in like you know something because you read their lies,” he wrote in a post on Instagram. 

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“You people really need help! Our kids are in our custody and anything you read is not true!” he continued – adding that ‘police reports have been falsified and the truth is already apparent to everyone involved.’ He also said the ‘best thing any of you can do for Jace is to stop talking about him all together please.’