Mama June Triumphs Over Late Daughter Anna Cardwell's Ex In Custody Battle

Mama Junegets the chance to continue her grandmother duties for her late daughter, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's child, Kaitlyn.

The reality star recorded a massive victory in court over the custody of her grandchild after her late daughter's ex-husband, Michael Cardwell, challenged her.

Mama June and Michael Cardwell both filed a petition to take the child's custody following Anna Cardwell's death last December.

The dispute was finally put to rest on September 20th following a court order that stated, "Legal and physical custody of the minor child is to remain with Mama June."

Michael was also ordered to refrain from visiting the late Anna's 11-year-old daughter and Mama June, except they both agreed to grant him visitation rights.

The order also noted that Kaitlyn gave testimony at a hearing in July and fully expressed her desire to continue living with Mama June. In Touch reported that Kaitlyn's therapist observed that the child was scared to be taken from her grandmother.

Kaitlyn reportedly moved in with Mama June before her mother succumbed to her cancer illness. Anna also left behind an 8-year-old Kylee, who she shared with Michael.

In his filing, Michael declared to the court that he was interested in custody of Kaitlyn to keep her and Kylee together. According to him, he raised Kaitlyn as his own when he was married to the late Anna.

Mama June argued in her petition that it would be in Kaitlyn's best interest for her to continue living under her care.

Michael stated that Mama June and Anna were not friendly before her death, but June denied the allegations and accused Michael of being abusive to Anna during their union. She declared:

"During his marriage to Anna, Michael frequently physically abused Anna and the child, and it would not be in the child's best interests to be in Michael's care and control."

Following Mama June's claims, Michael denied the allegations through his attorney, Donald Lewis Roberts, emphatically explaining:

"This is the first time that any of these allegations have been made against him. He and Anna had a great relationship when they were married and simply separated due to differences in opinions and personalities."

Roberts further stated that Michael and Anna put their differences aside to settle their divorce, and she maintained a cordial relationship with Michael and his family.

"They've always stuck together for their children, and we will see what proof Ms. Shannon has for these types of claims, these very serious claims, to make on somebody- if she has any proof at all," concluded the attorney.

Luck was definitely on Mama June’s side amid her legal drama with her late daughter’s former husband for custody of her granddaughter.

In July, she was awarded temporary custody of the minor at the court-set hearing for Mama June and Michael to make their arguments for permanent custody.

The judge threw out Michael’s petition and noted that while he took care of Kaitlyn at times, he “never provided any significant financial support for this child.”

According to the courts, Mam June was in the best position to fill in for her late daughter and assume the role of Kaitlyn’s temporary caretaker.

The 29-year-old’s death left an indelible mark on the lives of her loved ones, including her kids, who reportedly struggled to cope with her death. The Blast reported last year that the reality star’s family considered getting professional help to help the girls process their grief and pain.

Sources close to the family shared that the family began weighing their options after Kaitlyn shockingly said a few things at Anna’s funeral.

The 11-year-old reportedly shared memories of her mother with the attendees, invoking a series of emotions during the service. She was also by her mother’s side during the battle with cancer, ensuring she took her medicine and never lacked company.

The source continued that Kaitlyn was a priority at that time, as Kylee lived with her father, Michael. On Anna’s dying wish, her husband Eldridge Toney, whom she secretly married last March, disclosed that she wanted her children to carry on her legacy.

"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," Toney shared.