Nearly. a year after Anna Cardwell passed away from stage 4 adrenal carcinoma, her mother Mama June Shannon has won custody of her 12-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.
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The legal battle began days after Anna Cardwell died by Cardwell’s ex-husband Michael, who filed a lawsuit against Mama June Shannon for the custody of Kaitlyn.
Michael stated he had “fully and completely undertaken a permanent, unequivocal, committed, and responsible parental role” in Kaityn’s life. He also explained that he had “engaged in consistent caretaking of the child and established a bonded and dependent relationship with the child.”
Despite him and Cardwell calling it quits in 2017, Michael claimed he still had a regular visitation schedule with Kylee. This included time with Kaitlyn. He further pointed out that he has an independent relationship with Cardwell’s eldest daughter.
“Both petitioner and parent understood, acknowledged, accepted and behaved as though the petitioner is a parent of the child,” the lawsuit documents stated. “And accepted full and permanent responsibilities as a parent of the child without expectation of financial compensation.”
Kaitlyn’s biological father was identified as Caleb Clark. He allegedly never took a DNA test nor has supported Kaitlyn.
Mama June Shannon ended up winning temporary custody over Kaitlyn in early-January, less than a month after Anna Cardwell died.
Georgia Judge Grants Mama June Shannon Custody of Anna Cardwell’s Pre-Teen
According to InTouch, a Wilkinson County, Georgia judge granted Shannon custody of the 12-year-old on Friday, Sept. 20.
The judge stated in the ruling that while Kaitlyn did sometimes spend time with her sister Kylee while in Michael’s custody and stayed with him for as long as five weeks at a time this past year, “[Michael] never provided any significant financial support for this child [Kaitlyn].”
A family therapist also testified that Kaitlyn “fears being taken away from” Shannon. She “expressed a desire to stay” with her grandmother.
“Legal and physical custody of the minor child is to remain with the Defendant [Shannon] and Plaintiff [Michael] will have no right to visitation as such,” the judge stated. “Unless otherwise expressly agreed to by the parties and the minor child.”
Mama June Shannon previously claimed that Michael had been abusive to Anna during their marriage. She also stated it was in Kaitlyn’s best interest to continue living with her.
Michael’s attorney denied the abuse claims in a statement. “Michael denies these allegations. This is the first time that any of these allegations have been made against him.”
He and Anna had a great relationship when they were married,” the attorney added. “And simply separated due to differences in opinions and personalities.”
Michael also stated that Shannon and Cardwell had a difficult relationship.