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Jenelle Evans' Son Jace, 16, Checks Into Mental Health Facility After Pulling Gun on Grandma
Jenelle Evans is making moves behind the scenes.
Just over a month after her and ex Andrew Lewis’ 16-year-old son Jace was checked into a mental health facility due to in incident involving pulling a gun on his grandmother, the Teen Mom alum shared a previously undisclosed update on how he was doing.
“A lot of people think that because I’m being so quiet that I might now be doing anything and not taking action,” she said, “but just know that if I’m quiet, I’m up to something.”
“I’ll let you know something that I haven’t told anyone,” Jenelle told Dr. Rachel Mason during her appearance on the April 13 episode of Rachel’s La Femme Talk podcast. “I’ve been very quiet online but behind the scenes I’ve been actually getting help for my son and he’s in a safe place [with] a holistical[sic] approach and he’s very happy right now.”
She continued, “He’s very focused on himself and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Jenelle also issued a response to the fans that have interpreted her silence for apathy.
The sentiment is similar to one the 34-year-old shared weeks earlier, asking the public to respect her family’s privacy at this time.
“Behind the scenes, I'm doing everything I can for my child, and I'm doing what's in the best interest for him,” she said in the March 28 TikTok, “and that's none of your business to know.”
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Jenelle—who is also mom to kids Kaiser Griffith, 11, with ex Nathan Griffith and Ensley Eason, 9, with ex David Eason—continued, “With all due respect, including my family, please just back off a little bit. Let us breathe.”
Jace’s stay in the mental health facility was precipitated by a Feb. 22 incident with his grandmother Barbara Evans, who was his guardian for most of his life, in which he allegedly pulled a gun on her.
Barbara subsequently called 911, a spokesperson for Jenelle confirmed to Entertainment Weekly on March 11, and shared that the family had been looking for a facility for Jace that could best “meet his needs.”
As for Jenelle’s role in her son’s life as the family navigates his mental health, the reality TV personality wanted to make one thing clear to fans.
“I am not the villain in this,” she said in her March TikTok, “and you guys, eventually, will see that.”
For more insight into Jenelle’s life as a mom to three, read on.
Some Bunny Loves You
Jenelle Evans celebrated Easter 2023 with her kids Jace, Kaiser and Ensley, as well as then-husband David Eason and his daughter Maryssa.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Mama Knows Best
The Teen Mom alum was joined by her own mother, Barbara Evans, for a Mother's Day celebration in May 2023.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Snow Place Like Home
Jenelle hit the slopes with her kids and stepdaughter Maryssa.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Let's Swim
Jenelle and her son Jace, who she shares with ex Andrew Lewis, took a dip in the local lake.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Field Trip
Kaiser, whose dad is Jenelle's ex Nathan Griffith, enjoyed the day at the WonderWorks amusement park with mom.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Spooky Squad
For Halloween 2022, Ensley—who Jenelle shares with her ex David—dressed up as the titular heroine of the 2009 flick Coraline. Meanwhile, Kaiser went trick-or-treating as Freddy Krueger.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Family Vacation
The entire family—including Jenelle's mom Barbara and stepdaughter Maryssa—had a blast vacationing in Puerto Rico.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Forever Flock
Jenelle captioned this photo with her three kids, "All of momma's ducks in a row."
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
All Grown Up
"He's almost taller than me," Jenelle captioned this mother-son snap with Jace on Instagram. "#GrowingUp."
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
'Tis the Season
Jenelle rang in Christmas with Kaiser and Ensley in December 2022.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Birthday Girl
David and Jenelle celebrated Ensley's 6th birthday in January 2023,.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Fun Times
Jenelle took Kaiser and Ensley to Medieval Times.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Life's a Beach
Jenelle and David had some fun in the sun with the kids at the beach in August 2022.
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
A Special Place
In 2022, the family spent Fourth of July hiking North Carolina's Beacon Heights Trail, where David proposed to Jenelle back in 2016. The former MTV star wrote on Instagram, "So happy to share this view/experience with our kids!"
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Like Mother, Like Daughter
"Wonder where she gets all her sass from," Jenelle joked of her look-alike daughter Ensley. "#Twinning."
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Milestone Memories
"#HappyBirthday to Jace!" Jenelle wrote on Instagram in August 2023. "You're growing into a such polite young man. I'm happy as long as you're happy!"
Instagram/Jenelle Evans
Back to School
Jenelle sent her kids back to school in August 2023.
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