Jenelle Evans, the former Teen Mom 2 star, is reportedly blocking her mother Barbara Evans and biological father Andrew Lewis from contacting 16-year-old Jace while he receives treatment at a mental health facility in North Carolina. The situation has escalated ahead of an April 13, 2026 custody hearing, with Lewis launching a GoFundMe on March 27 to fund legal representation, and Evans spotted dining with ex-husband David Eason in Las Vegas despite an active protective order valid through November 2026.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Jenelle Evans allegedly blocked grandmother Barbara Evans and father Andrew Lewis from contacting Jace at a mental health treatment facility |
| When | Reported March 24, 2026; custody hearing scheduled April 13, 2026 |
| Where | North Carolina (custody jurisdiction) |
| Who is affected | Jace, age 16; grandmother Barbara Evans (former legal custodian); father Andrew Lewis |
| Key statutes | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2 (custody); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2(b1) (grandparent visitation); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50B-3 (DVPO) |
| Protective order | Active DVPO against David Eason through November 2026 |
Facility Contact Restrictions Raise Serious Legal Questions
A custodial parent generally controls who communicates with a minor child in a treatment facility, but that authority is not absolute under North Carolina law. When a child is placed in a mental health facility, the treatment team and existing court orders both play a role in determining appropriate contact. Barbara Evans, who held legal custody of Jace for roughly a decade before Jenelle regained custody, reportedly cannot reach her grandson by phone or visit.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2, North Carolina courts determine custody based on the best interest of the child. That standard applies not just at trial but to ongoing disputes about visitation and communication access. If Barbara Evans or Andrew Lewis believe contact restrictions are harming Jace, either can file a motion asking the court to intervene before the April 13 hearing.
The mental health facility itself operates under its own regulations. North Carolina mental health treatment programs must follow N.C. Gen. Stat. § 122C provisions, which establish patient rights including contact with family members unless clinically contraindicated. A custodial parent can request restrictions, but the facility's clinical team makes the final determination about what serves the patient's therapeutic needs.
How North Carolina Handles Grandparent Visitation Rights
North Carolina is one of approximately 30 states that provide a statutory pathway for grandparent visitation. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2(b1), a grandparent can petition for court-ordered visitation if the court finds it serves the best interest of the child. Barbara Evans has a particularly strong position because she served as Jace's legal custodian for years, establishing a deep caregiving relationship that courts typically weigh heavily.
The U.S. Supreme Court's 2000 decision in Troxel v. Granville (530 U.S. 57) requires courts to give "special weight" to a fit parent's decision about third-party visitation. North Carolina courts apply this standard, but they balance it against the specific facts. A grandparent who previously held custody and now faces a complete communication cutoff during a child's mental health crisis has a compelling argument that the court should intervene.
Andrew Lewis, as Jace's biological father, holds a different legal position than a grandparent. A biological parent has constitutional rights to a relationship with their child under the 14th Amendment. If Lewis has not had his parental rights terminated, he can petition for custody or visitation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2 with standing that exceeds what grandparents receive. His GoFundMe campaign, launched March 27, 2026, signals he intends to pursue that route at the April 13 hearing.
The Protective Order Complication
Jenelle Evans reconciling with David Eason while an active domestic violence protective order (DVPO) remains in effect through November 2026 adds a volatile dimension to the custody picture. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50B-3, a DVPO can include provisions restricting contact, removing the defendant from a shared residence, and granting temporary custody of minor children.
North Carolina courts take protective order violations seriously. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50B-4.1, knowingly violating a DVPO is a Class A1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 150 days in jail. If Evans and Eason were spotted together in Las Vegas as reported, either or both could face legal consequences depending on the specific terms of the order.
From a custody perspective, reconciliation with a person subject to a protective order is exactly the type of evidence a North Carolina judge considers under the best interest standard. Courts routinely evaluate whether a parent exposes a child to domestic violence or to individuals who pose a safety risk. The active DVPO through November 2026 means any judge evaluating custody on April 13 will have this information available.
Practical Takeaways for North Carolina Families
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Grandparents who previously held custody have strong standing to petition for visitation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2(b1). Document the caregiving relationship thoroughly, including duration, daily responsibilities, and the child's attachment.
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Biological parents who have not had rights terminated retain constitutional protections. Filing a formal custody or visitation petition before a scheduled hearing date preserves your rights and puts the issue squarely before the judge.
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Mental health facility contact restrictions imposed by a custodial parent are not automatically final. The treatment team evaluates clinical appropriateness, and a court can order contact if it serves the child's best interest.
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Active protective orders matter in custody proceedings. North Carolina judges consider whether a parent maintains contact with someone subject to a DVPO when evaluating the child's safety and the parent's judgment.
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Crowdfunding legal fees is increasingly common in family law disputes. North Carolina courts can also award attorney fees under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.6 if one party lacks sufficient means to defray litigation costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a grandmother file for visitation rights in North Carolina if the parent blocks all contact?
Yes. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2(b1), a grandparent can petition the court for visitation if it serves the child's best interest. Courts consider the prior relationship, the grandparent's caregiving history, and the child's emotional needs. A grandmother who previously held legal custody for multiple years has an especially strong basis for a successful petition.
Does violating a protective order in North Carolina carry criminal penalties?
Yes, it does. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50B-4.1, knowingly violating a domestic violence protective order is a Class A1 misdemeanor carrying up to 150 days in jail. Both the protected person and the restrained person can face consequences depending on the order's terms and who initiated contact.
Can a mental health facility block family members from contacting a minor patient?
Facility contact decisions depend on both the custodial parent's instructions and the clinical team's assessment under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 122C. A custodial parent can request restrictions, but the treatment team evaluates whether limiting family contact serves the patient's therapeutic goals. Courts can override parental instructions by ordering specific visitation if a family member petitions.
How does reconciling with someone under a protective order affect custody in North Carolina?
North Carolina judges evaluate custody under a best interest standard that includes the child's safety. A parent who voluntarily reconciles with a person subject to an active DVPO through November 2026 risks the court finding poor parental judgment. This factor alone will not determine custody, but it gives opposing parties significant leverage at the April 13 hearing.
Can a biological father who has been absent gain custody rights in North Carolina?
A biological father whose parental rights have not been terminated retains constitutional standing to petition for custody or visitation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2. Courts evaluate his current fitness, relationship with the child, and ability to provide a stable environment. Filing a formal petition and securing legal representation before the hearing date is critical.
North Carolina families navigating custody disputes, grandparent visitation, or protective order complications can find an experienced family law attorney in their county through our directory.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.