It was reported earlier this month that Mama June Shannon was sued by Anna Cardwell’s ex-husband for custody of Anna’s oldest daughter.
Kaitlyn’s father is embroiled in a difficult struggle for custody of the girl, who is close to him and who has only recently experienced the loss of her mother. This is a challenging situation, made even more tragic by the recent passing of Anna Cardwell, albeit none of the legal changes involve the newborn daughter with whom she lived.
A response has been filed by June Shannon in court, entailing a number of grounds on which she claims that Kaitlyn should remain with her. Mama June Shannon initiated the process toward obtaining sole legal and physical custody of 11-year-old Kaitlyn Clark on December 18.
According to legal papers obtained by In Touch Weekly on December 18, June already has emergency guardianship of Kaitlyn as of December 15, following Anna Cardwell’s passing due to her adrenal carcinoma on December 9. She believes, as the girl’s grandmother, that she is best-suited to take care of Kaitlyn in the aftermath of her mother’s death “Since the mother’s passing, child has remained in the care, custody, and control of Petitioner,” the paperwork states. The same argument adds that June is “not aware of any interested parties other than herself that would have standing to seek custody of the child.” Since the mother’s passing, the child has remained in the care and control of the Petitioner. Furthermore, she has stated that no additional familial parties have indicated any interest.
The suit has been filed by Anna Cardwell’s ex-husband just a day prior in this difficult, sad court case. Anna Cardwell’s ex-husband is not Kaitlyn’s biological father, nor had he ever lawfully adopted her within the course of their marriage. However, Kaitlyn’s biological father was Caleb Clark. As of now, there is no DNA evidence or paternity tests to prove his connection to Kaitlyn. The court battle intensifies as Anna Cardwell’s ex-husband makes legal claims to the role he served as her parent. In their legal documents, it states that the monies allocated to Kaitlyn’s private education come from him. Also, a relationship seems to have developed between his biological daughter and Kaitlyn, whom he feels that he should have rights to care in tandem with his daughter.
Michael, Kaitlyn’s presumed biological father’s claims have stated that “is the only living person that has shown a constant and continuous interest in the minor child’s well-being” and points out that it is in Kaitlyn’s best interest to live with him. The court will have the final determination.
This is a very complex and layered issue, one that will inevitably impact Kaitlyn’s life. Finally, we can only hope that all parties involved have the young girl’s well-being at the forefront of their minds.
