Who ultimately ended up with custody of Anna Cardwell’s eldest daughter, Kaitlyn Shannon? Anna’s ex-husband, Michael Cardwell went up against Mama June Shannon but they both pulled out the big guns. So, who prevailed when all was said and done? Keep reading for more details and what is known as of now.
Mama June Who Got Custody Of Anna Cardwell’s Daughter, Kaitlyn?
When Anna Cardwell was gravely ill with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma, she had to decide where Kaitlyn would go in the event of her passing. Her youngest daughter, Kylee would go to her father and Anna’s ex-husband, Michael Cardwell. For Kaitlyn, Anna decided she wanted her husband, Eldridge Toney to have custody which Mama June did not care for. Unfortunately, papers were not filed before she passed and June assumed the parental role. Michael then served June as he had been in Kaitlyn’s life since she was a baby. More so, he had also taken care of her financially.
It also made sense to keep the sisters together during this heartbreaking time. Mama June subpoenaed Michael’s CPS records as she maintained he had been abusive during his marriage to Anna. However, it was well known that Anna and June had long been estranged so it was a very slippery slope. Kaitlyn did write a letter to the court saying she wanted to stay with June but fans questioned the validity of it. Now, according to The Ashley’s Reality Roundup, it looks like Mama June was granted custody.
Michael Cardwell’s fiancee, London Smith made a post on her Facebook. It was initially to address a rumor circulating that Eldridge was sneaking Kaitlyn over without Mama June’s consent. Yet, in there, she revealed some nuggets that make it appear Kaitlyn will not be coming back to them in an official and legal capacity:
I’ve been talked bad about for not speaking about the allegation being made that me and Michael aren’t allowing Michael’s youngest to see Kaitlyn. Which everyone that thinks that is dead wrong. Our family just went through a life changing event. My fiance lost a child he calls his and raised for 11 years. My fiancés mother and father lost a grand daughter that they have loved and made memories with for 11 years.
London added that Anna Cardwell’s girls FaceTime all of the time and have had a few meetings here and there. All of which June knew about. Everyone is allegedly working together to keep the girls close though it may not appear as such.
Defending Michael
After reading what London Smith wrote, some followers immediately jumped to her and Michael Cardwell’s defense. They made it clear that Mama June and her family are the ones making them seem like the bad guys:
- I hear you but to be fair, June, pumpkin, Lana, all of them are the ones telling the whole internet that ya’ll have been withholding kylee since christmas…I’ve watched/heard them with my own eyes n ears hun.
- Yall are the normalcy in both them girls lives
Even Eldridge Toney’s family hopped in and shared pain with Michael’s mother:
- I don’t know how you are getting by, I want you to know that you are always in my Prayers
This is certainly not how Anna Cardwell would have wanted it all to play out but, for now, this is the update. It is unclear if it was a message about pain and not having constant access to Kaitlyn. Or, if this was the true final decision as the case is still listed as “active.” Hopefully, everyone really can work together simply for Kylee and Kaitlyn.
Do you think Kaitlyn is where she belongs and the right decision was made? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.