The war for 16-year-old Jace Evans is far from over. His grandmother, Barbara Evans, is doubling down in her fight to regain custody after a judge swiftly denied her request for emergency placement. The motion, filed late last week, sought full custody of the teenager, who is currently receiving treatment in a mental health facility.
Despite the legal setback, Barbara is not backing down. She confirms she will be in court on March 23rd for a temporary custody hearing, signaling that theBarbara Evans Jace custody battle is entering a critical new phase. “It doesn’t matter that it was denied, because I’m going to court,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to presenting evidence before a judge.
The emergency custody filing came amidst a turbulent few weeks for the family. Jace was admitted to a facility following a disturbing incident at Barbara’s North Carolina home in late February. Law enforcement responded to the residence for what was described as a “troubled teen disturbance.”
Sources indicate the motion for emergency custody was filed without notice to Jace’s legal mother, Jenelle Evans. This procedural misstep led to its immediate denial. Jenelle has publicly maintained that she still holds sole legal and physical custody of her son, a position she reiterated following the news of the denied motion.
The upcoming March 23rd hearing promises to be a high-stakes confrontation. All major parties are expected to play a role. Jace’s father, Andrew Lewis, who has been largely absent for much of the teen’s life, is also reportedly preparing to present evidence, adding another layer of complexity to an already fraught family dynamic.
For Barbara, this is the latest chapter in a lifelong role as Jace’s primary protector. Having raised him for the majority of his life after Jenelle signed over custody in his infancy, she has been a constant presence. This recent push for custody underscores her deep concern for his well-being amid his ongoing struggles with mental health.
This legal battle is the most recent eruption in a decades-long conflict between Jenelle and her mother over Jace. Jenelle regained official custody in 2023 after more than a decade of Barbara acting as the primary caregiver. Since then, Jace’s living situation has remained volatile, with reports of him running away and, more recently, allegations of abuse within the home, claims that have been fiercely denied by Jenelle and her husband, David Eason.
As the March 23rd hearing approaches, the focus remains on what is best for Jace. The evidence presented in court will ultimately determine whether he returns to his mother’s care in Las Vegas or remains under the guardianship of his grandmother in North Carolina. For now, both sides are digging in for a prolonged and public fight.
