The never-ending drama is far from over for Teen Mom star Amber Portwood.
The troubled 20-year-old reality star has been under investigation for domestic abuse against her ex-fiance Gary Shirley (Portwood was seen striking Shirley repeatedly with their young daughter present, a moment which aired on the popular MTV docu-series) and has since been charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor and faces up to three years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. And now the single mom could potentially lose her 2-year-old daughter Leah for good.
RadarOnline.com says a source told them that on Tuesday Portwood and Shirley's child had become a ward of the state of Indiana following an emergency child placement hearing. Under Indiana law, if it's decided that a child is "in need of services," then they become a ward of the state. A hearing is usually held within 48 hours to attempt to place the child with a suitable family member. Guardianship is determined by a judge who appoints a government agency to oversee the child's affairs.
Baby Leah is currently living with her father after Portwood left her in his care, but her mom could still fight for custody in light of this latest development. It was also reported that the Department of Child Services has been monitoring Portwood's visits with her daughter and will continue to do so if Shirley's home is deemed suitable for Leah.
This is clearly a rough time for the troubled mom. "Being away from my daughter is the lowest of the low," Portwood told US Weekly.
She and Shirley, who have had nothing short of a tumultuous relationship on and off camera, declined to comment to Radar following the ruling.
What do you think should happen to Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley's daughter Leah? Chime in below.
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