Teen Mom Star's Son Allegedly Pulled Gun on Grandmother Before Hospitalisation
Jenelle Evans' 16-year-old son Jace has been committed to a mental health hospital following a disturbing incident where he allegedly pulled a gun on his grandmother, according to multiple reports. The troubling event unfolded at the North Carolina home of Evans' mother, Barbara Evans, who made an emergency 911 call on February 27th.
Emergency Response and Involuntary Commitment
Sources close to the situation told TMZ that Barbara Evans made the 911 call from her residence to have her grandson committed on an involuntary basis. Police reports indicate that seven officers responded to the home following what was described as a "troubled teen disturbance." The publication previously reported that Jace had put a handgun to his head while threatening to kill both himself and his grandmother.
According to TMZ, Barbara Evans had alerted her daughter to her plans to file court paperwork regarding Jace, who has been living with his grandmother while Jenelle resides in Las Vegas with her other children. The incident comes months after Barbara was hospitalized in October due to a stroke, though she was discharged shortly after and recuperated at home.
Family Statement and Privacy Request
A representative for Jenelle Evans provided a statement to the Daily Mail addressing the situation. "The son is receiving the help he needs, and Jenelle has been dedicated to finding the best treatment and the right place to support his progress," the statement read. "Her commitment and persistence in seeking the most effective care show how deeply she cares about her son's well-being and future."
The representative continued: "At this time, we respectfully ask for privacy for the family and Jenelle Evans. This is a personal matter, and space and understanding are appreciated as they focus on their well-being and time together." A separate statement to TMZ added: "We're unable to discuss this issue because it involves confidential personal matters."
Public Feud and Previous Conflicts
This latest incident follows a very public feud between mother and son that erupted last year. In August, Jace shared a text message exchange on social media that depicted a fiery conflict between the two. "I am finally putting out how my mother really is," Jace wrote alongside the messages, in which he complained about his living situation and called his mother "crazy."
In the posted exchange, Jace told his mother: "I don't need you, you don't need me and I don't understand why ur doing this just because I'm telling you the truth, ur crazy." Evans responded: "[You're] the one saying you're going to have my custody taken. F*** YOU." The messages also referenced Evans' ex-husband David Eason, with Jace claiming Eason had tried to strangle him, which Evans denied.
Mother's Emotional Response
Following the public sharing of their private messages, Jenelle Evans posted a lengthy response via her Instagram Stories to her 3.1 million followers. She acknowledged the challenges of parenting her firstborn child as he deals with legal and health issues. "My children are my whole world," Evans wrote. "And everything I do is to try to protect, guide and love them. Like any parent, I set rules and boundaries ... and sometimes that isn't easy."
Regarding Jace posting their private texts, Evans said: "Jace posting our private texts was his reaction to being rightfully disciplined and while it hurts to see those moments shared publicly, I know it comes from a place of struggle." She added that navigating Jace's medical conditions "has not been easy but I have never stopped fighting to make sure he has the resources, love and support he needs."
Ongoing Family Challenges
Evans revealed that her son has been dealing with legal issues in recent months and is "having a hard time adjusting to the rules set before him." She ended her emotional statement by asking for public understanding: "Please give him grace at this time ... this is hard on all of us." The Teen Mom 2 personality welcomed Jace with her ex-boyfriend Andrew Lewis in August 2009.
Evans is also mother to 11-year-old Kaiser Orion Griffith, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Nathan Griffith, and eight-year-old daughter Ensley Jolie Eason, whom she had with ex-husband David Eason. Eason was infamously fired by MTV in 2018 for homophobic and transphobic tweets, and the cable network subsequently fired Evans in 2019 after her then-husband shot and killed their French Bulldog, Nugget.
There is currently no word on how long Jace will remain at the mental health facility receiving treatment. Sources close to the family say the focus is currently on his health and stability as the family navigates this difficult period.
