Getty Amber Portwood.
“Teen Mom” star Amber Portwood‘s 4-year-old son is now living at his grandmother’s $5 million estate in California, according to The Sun.
Portwood and her ex, Andrew Glennon, had been involved in a custody battle since 2019. In July 2022, Glennon was granted sole legal and primary physical custody of their son James.
In a new court filing obtained by The Sun, Glennon is now listed as living at his mother’s estate in Malibu.
Portwood resides in Indiana and shares her older child, 13-year-old daughter Leah, with ex Gary Shirley. Portwood and Glennon raised their son in Portwood’s home state before the custody battle began in 2019.
Amber Portwood Wielded a Machete Against Andrew Glennon While He Held Their Son, Police Say
Portwood was arrested and charged with domestic violence against Glennon in July 2019. Court documents state that a dispute between the couple culminated with Portwood throwing a shoe at Glennon and holding a machete toward him while he was holding their son, the Indianapolis Star reported at the time.
In October 2019, Portwood pleaded guilty to two charges of domestic battery and intimidation and was sentenced to 906 days of probation, court records show. The plea agreement also ordered a mental health evaluation, treatment for substance abuse, random drug testing and 26 weeks of court-ordered parenting classes, according to the online records.
In the court documents obtained by The Sun, the judge noted Portwood’s book, “So You’re Crazy Too?” as a factor in the decision about James’ custody. In the book, released in early 2022, the mother of two shares her thoughts, concerns and history of mental health issues, substance abuse and domestic violence. The judge also said Portwood had “difficulty regulating her emotions” during her testimony, according to The Sun.
Ultimately, Portwood was granted visitation, including monthly overnights, with her son.
Portwood has been forthcoming regarding her mental health. She has publicly shared her five mental health diagnoses, including bipolar disorder.
This isn’t the first domestic violence incident for which Portwood has faced charges. According to court records reviewed by Heavy, Portwood pleaded guilty in June 2011 to one count of felony domestic battery against the father of her daughter, who was a year old and present at the time, after video of the assault was aired on MTV and she was arrested in December 2010. She given a suspended sentenced of 730 days in prison and released on probation, according to court records, but ended up back in court by December with a probation violation. Rather than county jail, she was sentenced to a drug court program in February but withdrew from the program in May and opted instead to spend nearly two years in jail, court records show.
Amber Portwood Will Continue Moving Forward
The custody ruling and Glennon’s plan to relocate with their son devastated the reality star. Portwood issued a statement on her Instagram account on July 28, 2022.
“I’ve worked so hard to better myself and improve my relationships with my children,” she wrote. She said she completed “multiple psychological evaluations” and drug tests.
“While I’ve always been candid about my past substance abuse and issues with mental health, a person should have a chance to redeem themselves and not be tethered to their issues from the past. People who’ve done therapy, and taken classes, and made efforts to change should not continue to be punished for past mistakes,” Portwood asserted.
Following the official custody decision, Glennon shared his sentiments with E! News. “We endured the nightmare,” he states. “Now we get to live the dream.” Glennon’s family resides in California, where they will be able to provide him and James with support.
“If your road has not been perfect, but you’ve worked hard to become a better, more stable and caring person today, keep moving forward, as I’ll never stop fighting for my children who I love more than anything,” Portwood wrote.