Mama June demands late daughter Anna Cardwell's ex Michael's DFCS records after accusing him of abuse
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Mama June Shannon requested a judge to compel the Department of Family and Children Services to provide records pertaining to her late daughter Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's ex-husband, Michael Cardwell.
June, 44, and Michael, 31—who Anna was married to from 2015 to 2017—have been involved in a bitter custody battle over Kaitlyn Elizabeth, 11.
Mama June Shannon submitted a motion to the judge overseeing Anna Cardwell's daughter Kaitlyn's custody dispute
Mama June Shannon and Michael Cardwell have been in and out of court since Anna Cardwell died in December 2023 at the age of 29 from cancer.
Following Anna's untimely death, June filed an emergency petition requesting Kaitlyn's primary custody as she claimed no one knew her biological father. The 'Mama June: Family Crisis' star claimed that since the youngster had lived with her before Anna's death, it would be in her best interests to continue living with her.
Michael filed a separate lawsuit days later, requesting Kaitlyn's primary custody. In his opinion, Anna's daughters shouldn't be separated after her death. He added that during his marriage to Anna, he had raised Kaitlyn as his own.
June rejected Michael's argument and claimed Kaitlyn didn't see him as a father figure.
According to recent court documents obtained by InTouch Weekly, Mama June requested that a representative of the government agency appear in court this month.
She insisted that they turn over copies of all the notes, assessments, reports, audio and video recordings, and other records and information the agency has on Michael, June, and/or Kaitlyn.
The matriarch informed the court that she thought the parties were covered by a file maintained by the Department of Family and Child Services.
June submitted a motion requesting that the judge overseeing the custody dispute order the agency to bring the file before the court.
Her legal representative said, "Such evidence and testimony is material to the matters before the court to allow the court to make an informed decision regarding the best interest of the minor child in this custody action."
Kaitlyn previously sought to live with grandmother Mama June Shannon instead of stepdad Michael Cardwell following abuse claims
The contentious custody dispute between Mama June Shannon and her former son-in-law, Michael Cardwell, has intensified as the parties are prepared to appear in court to fight over Anna Cardwell's eldest daughter, Kaitlyn.
According to The US Sun, Kaitlyn filed an affidavit in court on July 9 to be allowed to live primarily with her grandmother and have no visitation rights with Michael (who has been raising Kaitlyn's sister, Kylee Madison, 8, since Anna's death).
Kaitlyn stated in her filing, "My name is Kaitlyn Shannon, and I was born in 2012. I'm currently 11 years of age. I am electing and hereby expressing my desire and intent to reside primarily with my maternal grandmother, June Shannon."
"I do not wish to have visitation with Michael Cardwell. I am making this affidavit in this election voluntarily and under no duress or compulsion from any person. I have not been promised any benefits or rewards for making this affidavit."
Kaitlyn stated that she was aware the judge would hear her statement during the final custody hearing.
The 11-year-old added, "I hereby state that this affidavit expresses my current desire and intent in this matter regarding where I desire to primarily reside. I also wish to speak to the Judge to inform the Court of my wishes."
Mama June, who said that Michael had assaulted Kaitlyn when they were living together, backed her granddaughter's decision and asked the Department of Family and Children Services on July 10 for an "in-camera review."
The judge has not yet made a decision on June's request for the records. A hearing has been scheduled for later in July.
