‘Teen Mom’ Star Jenelle Evans Sets Record Straight Amid Ongoing Legal Issues Over Son Jace (Exclusive)

Jenelle Evans is exclusively sharing her side of the story with The Messenger. On Wednesday, the Teen Mom 2 star opened up about the CPS began investigation into her family — and the dynamics between her 14-year-old son Jace, husband David Eason and mother Barbara Evans.

"My son has been having mental health issues for the past two to three years. He has been on and off medication that was not prescribed under my care," Evans told The Messenger. "They are thinking it's because of the effects of the medication, it's causing him to have behaviors he shouldn't have. He's had outbursts. He's in intensive therapy at the moment and getting the help he needs."

"Everyone thinks it's investigating our other kids about child abuse and neglect [however] it's about our son. In the court they don't even bring up David's name. At all. It's only about me and my mom and Jace's mental health," she continued. "Jace has been seeking mental health therapy for a while. I have a lot of evidence I have not had the chance to present yet, but I think at the next court date [I will be able to]. It has to do with my mom and Jace's living situation."

The MTV alum also confirmed Jace is currently living with his grandmother Barbara, saying, "He is with her temporarily and they are looking to possibly transport him somewhere else due to his behavior in the past." She cited recent issues with Jace, who has a history of running away from home, not wanting any rules or boundaries. "That's one reason why I got custody," Evans added. "My mom would call David and say 'Can you come help me, he just ran out of the car.'"

However, Evans claims that before the recent developments Barbara and Jace hadn't been in communication since July 2023. Evans gave over custody in March 2023.

"She hasn't got Jace since July before this. She hasn't asked to see Jace. He didn't ask to call her," she shared, explaining that conflict resurfaced in her relationship with her mother during a Puerto Rico vacation earlier this summer. The mom of four described a scene after one excursion where Barbara was "bitching at me" in a café and threatened to bring Evans back to court over Jace’s custody.

"Today's court date is about what's going to happen on the next court date," Evans added. The family's next court date is set for November.

(The Messenger attempted to contact Barbara for comment, but did not receive a response.)

Also on Oct. 25, Eason was served a criminal summons, the Columbus County Sheriff's Office confirmed to The Messenger. According to Evans, this is in relation to a September incident involving Eason and Jace after Eason "searched" the teen and confiscated items, which she declined to specify.

Evans concluded, "The other kids are doing great. David keeps saying [Jace] was raised for 14 years by Barbara. It's not us."

Earlier this month, The Messenger confirmed that both Evans and Eason were under investigation by CPS in North Carolina after Jace was reported missing three times since August.

In August, Jenelle addressed Jace's mental health after the teen ran away for the second time within two weeks (he was first reported missing on Aug. 15, but he had been found hours after and ran away for a third time in September).

"My son has been having a hard time for the past two, three years," Jenelle explained on social media. "None of this has gone public because we're trying to keep his privacy. Me and my mom, when she gave me custody, she's like, 'Oh we're just getting along, I'm just gonna give Jenelle back [custody].' Well, there was a big reason behind why I got him back."