Following a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, Teen Mom star Amber Portwood has lost custody of the 4-year-old son they shared. According to People, the ruling was made by an Indiana judge.
As reports reveal, “Amber is shocked by the judge’s ruling,” a source close to Amber told People. Now, James Andrew will be moving across the country to California where his father, Andrew Glennon will reside.
‘Teen Mom’ Star Amber Portwood Loses Custody of 4-Year-Old Son
She loves her son more than anything and has always tried to be the best mother to him. She’s not perfect, but this was a really dramatic thing to happen,” the source continued telling People.
The judge’s ruling was revealed after The Sun obtained court documents. Those documents further revealed the conditions outlined by the judge as well.
After awarding Andrew sole legal and primary custody of their son, he was also ordered to “seek out and consider the mother’s opinion before making any major decisions relating to the child’s medical treatment, education, and religion.”
The judge also allowed Portwood overnight visitation for the first time since 2019. These overnight visits will alternate between Indiana and California.
This custody battle between Amber and Andrew has been ongoing since 2019. As Mamas Uncut previously reported, the former couple was involved in a rather public domestic dispute back in July 2019.
As a result of the attack, Portwood was charged with domestic battery, criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, and domestic battery committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old. Portwood allegedly attacked Glennon while he was holding their then 1-year-old son.
In a past statement, Portwood believed she was “set up for failure.” However, at the time, Glennon called it one of the scariest nights of his life.
“That night was one of the scariest nights of my life and my mind replays the moments to no end,” the father recalled. “When I begged you to please stop shouting in front of our infant and your reply was, ‘It doesn’t matter, he’s just a baby.’ Be a mother for once in your life.”
After being sentenced to two and a half years of probation and court-ordered parenting classes, Portwood completed that sentence and a 26-week Batterer’s Intervention Program in April 2022.
Since that time in her life, the source told People that Amber feels frustrated over the judge’s decision especially because of how far she’s come. “She’s continuing to go to therapy to better herself and has done this consistently for three years straight.”
Portwood revealed that her fight for her son doesn’t end here and that she is looking into exploring her options. She also iterated that despite this upsetting news she will stay positive and continue the work she’s put in toward bettering herself.
Sadly, this isn’t the only custody battle Portwood had been a part of. Portwood also shares a 12-year-old daughter with her ex, Gary. Back in 2021, as Mamas Uncut reported, Portwood admitted she couldn’t count how long it had been since seeing her daughter, Leah.
“Leah and I are still struggling with our relationship. My relationship with her has changed a lot. I haven’t seen her in quite some time,” Amber admitted while the cameras were rolling. “I can’t count the days,” she said when asked just how long it’s been since she’s seen Leah. “It’s just going to make me more depressed. I don’t understand why I’m getting treated this way right now. I’m not going to give up on her.”
It’s unclear if that situation has gotten any better.