Jenelle Evans’ Son Jace, 16, Checks Into Mental Health Facility After Pulling Gun on Grandma
Jenelle Evans is asking for grace.
The Teen Mom alum issued a plea for privacy weeks after her son Jace Evans, 16, was placed in a mental health facility following an alleged incident involving his grandma Barbara Evans in February.
“I shouldn’t even be getting on here to say anything, but I feel like I have to,” Jenelle, 34, said in a video posted on TikTok March 28. “I feel like at this moment, it is imperative for my family to have their privacy.”
The reality star—who shares Jace with ex Andrew Lewis—also dismissed speculation that she was “doing nothing” amid the ordeal, noting that she had taken a step back from social media to focus on her son.
“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 continued, “and that’s none of your business to know.”
As such, Jenelle asked for observers—as well as extended relatives—to give her space as she navigates the personal matter.
“With all due respect, including my family, please just back off a little bit,” she said. “Let us breathe.”
“I am not the villain in this,” she said in closing, “and you guys, eventually, will see that.”
While Jenelle—who is also mom to Kaiser Griffith, 11, with ex Nathan Griffith and Ensley Eason, 9, with ex David Eason—didn’t discuss the specifics of Jace’s treatment, she did share photos of the teen on her Instagram Stories March 28, showing him on an airplane looking out the window and using a tablet.
Manny Carabel/Getty Images
Earlier this month, Jenelle’s representative confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Barbara—whom Jace had been living with—called 911 after he allegedly pulled a gun on her during the Feb. 22 incident, and that the family was still searching for the best facility “to meet his needs.”
Seven Brunswick County police officers responded to an incident at Barbara’s home in North Carolina—which authorities described as a “troubled teen disturbance”—according to the police report obtained by TMZ.
Following the alleged encounter, Jenelle’s rep said in a March 12 statement to E! News, “Out of respect for our client’s family, we kindly ask that the media honor the privacy of her son. Jenelle remains focused on protecting her child’s well-being and maintaining a safe, private environment for her family during this time.”
E! News reached out to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office at the time but did not hear back.
For a closer look at Jenelle’s life with her three kids, keep reading.
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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