Mama June Shannon’s daughter, Anna Cardwell, died at age 29, leaving behind two children.
Reality TV star “Mama June” Shannon is embroiled in a custody dispute over one of her grandchildren following the death of her daughter, Anna Cardwell.
Cardwell died from adrenal cancer at the age of 29 in December 2023, leaving behind her husband Eldridge Toney and two children from prior relationships: daughters Kaitlyn and Kylee.
June Shannon and her younger daughter Alana first gained fame from the TLC reality TV series “Toddlers & Tiaras,” and the family then starred in its own show, called “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” from 2012-2014. Shannon and her family continue to have their lives chronicled on reality television.
How Mama June’s custody dispute began
Before her death, viewers of “Mama June: Family Crisis” on WeTV saw Cardwell’s family urge her to put a formal custody agreement in place for her eldest daughter Kaitlyn. However, she died before doing so.
The latest season of the “Mama June” show follows Cardwell’s final days and shows the unfolding custody battle over Kaitlyn.
Viewers learned that Kylee has been living with her father, Michael Cardwell, since her mother’s death. The two girls have different biological fathers.
The 11-year-old Kaitlyn is currently living with Shannon and her husband Justin Stroud.
Oftentimes, custody is awarded to the biological father in cases where the biological mother passes away. However, Anna Cardwell never publicly disclosed the identity of Kaitlyn’s biological dad.
Mama June’s legal battle
Days after Cardwell’s death, Shannon was granted temporary custody of her granddaughter after she sought an emergency order, according to court documents. In court documents reviewed by TODAY.com, Shannon is also seeking “temporary and permanent sole physical and sole legal custody” of Kaitlyn.
Michael Cardwell took his own steps to seek custody of Kaitlyn in addition to Kylee. In court documents obtained by TODAY.com, Cardwell claims that he has been a “stable and consistent part” of Kaitlyn’s life since she was eight months old and continued that role after his divorce.
Cardwell filed something called a “Petition for adjudication as equitable caregiver” in Superior Court of Wilkinson County, in central Georgia.
While saying he’s seeking “sole legal and physical custody” of Kaitlyn, Michael Cardwell describes himself as the “only living person who has shown a constant and continued interest in the minor child’s well-being.”
Meanwhile, Shannon’s court papers say she is “not aware of any interested parties other than herself that would have standing to seek custody.”
In court papers reviewed by TODAY.com, Michael Cardwell confirms that he is currently paying for Kaitlyn’s school tuition. In the filing, he says that Shannon has had an “inconsistent” presence in Kaitlyn’s life because Anna Cardwell and her her mother went through various periods of time without speaking.
TODAY.com has reached out to both sides for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
Who are the fathers of Anna Cardwell’s children?
Kaitlyn
Cardwell welcomed her first child, a daughter named Kaitlyn, in 2012. She did not make the identity of Kaitlyn’s father publicly known.
Kylee
In 2014, Cardwell married Michael Cardwell. They welcomed their only child, a daughter named Kylee, in 2015. Two years later, the couple broke up.
What did Anna Cardwell say?
Prior to her death, Anna Cardwell spoke about her wishes on camera.
“I want Kaitlyn to go to Eldridge,” she said during episode 22 of “Mama June: Family in Crisis,” referring to her husband Eldridge Toney
In an on-camera interview, Shannon said she was taken aback by that decision.
In their filmed conversation, Anna Cardwell said she believed Toney was prepared to take care of her daughter.
“I know he can do it. It’s just I’ve got to push him. I want him to want it so much that he can’t stand it,” she said.
Anna Cardwell also reminded everyone that her ex-husband Michael Cardwell would automatically get custody of Kylee since he’s her biological father.
“As soon as I’m gone, (Toney) and Kylee’s relationship is out the door. Kylee is gone, gone from everybody, from her sister. She’s gonna be gone from everybody,” she said.
Anna Cardwell expressed hope that her family would still have a presence in Kylee’s life.
“I want them both just to get the best of everybody,” she said on camera.
Shannon and Stroud later went to obtain guardianship papers for Kaitlyn, as shown on the reality show, but Anna Cardwell never signed them before her death.
What does Eldridge Toney say?
Before her death, Cardwell expressed interest in having her husband raise Kaitlyn. However, Toney had no legal claim since he wasn’t her biological father, and he hadn’t adopted her.
After Anna Cardwell’s death, Shannon shed some light on why she ended up seeking an emergency custody order.
“Me and Eldridge sat down and with Eldridge working and his life being turned upside down, we came to the decision that Kaitlyn is better off right now with me and Justin,” she said during episode 24 of “Mama June: Family in Crisis.”
Toney told People he promised his wife that he would remain an important part of her daughters’ lives after she died.
“The day before she passed, we had our talk and said our goodbyes. Her dying wish was for her girls to grow up knowing who their mother was. And I promised I would do right by the girls always. I will spend my life doing right by Anna and the girls,” he said, calling Kaitlyn and Kylee “my girls.”
In February 2024, Toney told People he had been visiting with both girls “as much as I can.”
“It’s easier now to see Kaitlyn than it is Kylee, just because Kaitlyn is right up the road. And I pretty much know June and Justin’s schedule. But as far as Kylee, I don’t get to see her as much, but I still do see her as much as possible,” he said.
What’s the latest on Shannon and Michael Cardwell’s custody battle?
While talking with E! News in April 2024, Shannon said she believes she and Stroud provide Kaitlyn with “structure and consistency.”
In June, she spoke with People about her experience caring for Kaitlyn over the last six months.
“Kaitlyn is Anna’s twin through and through,” she said. “Caring for Kaitlyn, she reminds me constantly of Anna. The way Anna was at 11, Kaitlyn is.”
According to court records obtained by TODAY.com, Shannon and Michael Cardwell were scheduled to return to court this summer. No updates have been filed as of yet.
