Mama June Reflects On Late Daughter 'Not Being Here For The Girls' After Custody Win

Mama June recently reminisced on the huge void her daughter Anna Cardwell's death left behind. The TV star admitted some hard truths about the state of things in her family since her beloved child passed on.

Mama June's daughter, Anna Cardwell, died on December 9, 2023, after being diagnosed with stage four adrenal carcinoma last January.

The grandmother noted that one of the most complex parts of dealing with the aftermath of her daughter's death was watching her grandkids struggle. "Her just not being here for the girls, and a lot sh-t has happened," Mama June recalled.

12-year-old daughter Kaitlyn survives Anna from a previous relationship and 8-year-old daughter Kylee, whom she shares with ex-Michael Cardwell. She added that they have also fought and won a custody battle since the 29-year-old's death.

"We also had to deal with Michael taking Kylee away from everybody here and moving to Alabama," Mama June continued. To stop Kylee from leaving, Mama June noted that they had to stay in Georgia as against their initial intention "to move out of state and move away."

The TV star won the lengthy court battle over the custody of granddaughter Kaitlyn against her former son-in-law in September. According to PEOPLE, Michael began dating Anna when Kaitlyn was 8 months old in 2013. He then filed to regain custody and visitation of his stepdaughter in December 2023.

She also admitted to keeping her late daughter's husband Eldridge Toney, involved in her granddaughter's life, just how Anna wanted it.

Mama June has had to pump the brakes on mommy duties for Kaitlyn since her daughter left her behind. She disclosed that her granddaughter lives with her and her husband, Justin Stroud.

Mama June admitted it was a huge "adjustment for me and Justin because honestly, the first year of our relationship, we didn't have any kids in the house."

She recalled the significant change happening when Anna, Eldridge, and the kids moved into their house before her death. The reality star described Kaitlyn now living with them full time as an adjustment period, adding: 

"But it's not a bad one because if something's going on, I'm going to call Pumpkin and then put it in our family group chat and say, 'Hey, this is going on.'"

She added that they try to keep things honest with the kids and her late daughter's husband.

"We try to bring him in because Anna would want [him] to be a part of it, for sure.So we do bring Eldridge in a lot on some stuff and then some stuff we just keep as a family and just try to really figure it out," Mama June concluded.

As reported by The Blast, the custody dispute was finally resolved on September 20 following a court order that confirmed, "Legal and physical custody of the minor child is to remain with Mama June."

Michael was ordered not to visit the late Anna's 11-year-old daughter and Mama June unless they agreed to permit him to visit. The order also noted that Kaitlyn gave testimony at a hearing in July and reiterated her wish to continue living with Mama June. 

Kaitlyn's therapist bolstered the grandmother's argument as she reportedly observed that the child was scared to be taken from her grandmother. Kaitlyn allegedly moved in with Mama June before her mother lost her battle with a terminal illness and has since loved it there.

Michael waged a full war against the grandma in his filing, declaring that he was interested in custody of Kaitlyn to keep her and Kylee together. He noted that he raised Kaitlyn as his own when he was married to the late Anna. Which meant he was in the best position to look after them.

Mama June countered the motion and argued that it would be Kaitlyn's best interest to continue living under her care. Michael added that his former Mother-in-law and his ex-wife Anna were not cordial before her death. 

Mama June debunked the allegations and accused Michael of being abusive to Anna during their marriage. "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, "the TV legend argued.

The 29-year-old's death left a lasting mark on the lives of her loved ones, especially her kids, who reportedly struggled to cope with the loss. The reality star's family considered getting professional help to guide the girls through their heartbreak and sense of loss.

Insiders disclosed that the family began weighing their options after Kaitlyn's shocking speech at Anna's funeral. The 11-year-old reportedly fondly recalled memories of her mother with the attendees, leading to an emotionally charged atmosphere.

She was also by her mother's side during the battle with cancer, ensuring she took her medicine and never lacked friendship. The source continued that Kaitlyn was a priority, as Kylee lived with her father, Michael. 

On Anna's dying wish, her husband Eldridge, whom she secretly married last March, confirmed that she wished for her children to continue her legacy. He declared:

"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."