'Teen Mom' Dad Says Amber Portwood Will Not Have Custody of Daughter Leah
"Teen Mom" star Amber Portwood could be headed back to court, only this time to get custody of her daughter, Leah. Gary Shirley, Portwood's ex and Leah's father, has allegedly said that he will do what it takes to retain custody of the little girl.
"It's going to stay the way it is, to protect Leah," Shirley told OK Magazine in a new interview.
Portwood signed away her parental rights in order to prevent Child Protective Services from intervening and taking Leah away from her and Shirley both. Portwood had a drug and alcohol problem, as well an anger problem, but received treatment when she entered prison for a five-year sentence. Due to her good behavior, Portwood was released after only 17 months and is now working to restore her relationships and life.
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"Well, everyone knows that she went to jail for drugs and stuff," Shirley explained. "I'm not saying that she'll ever get back into that, but I hear stories of how easy it is to relapse because that pressure is always there. I don't want to screw myself over [by agreeing to joint custody] and then have to fight for Leah. So I think it's going to stay the way it is, just to protect Leah."
Shirley is not opposed to letting Portwood spend plenty of time with the 4-year-old. In fact, she has already spent a fun-filled reunion and sleepover with Leah, who is thrilled to have Leah back in her life.
"Leah's excited! She's glad that Mommy's home. Sometimes I let Leah stay the night over [with Portwood at her grandmother's] before school so her hair is all nicely done for school. I feel like she has her daughter in mind more. But I think she's still adjusting to being out of prison. She needs to accept Leah at the age she is, versus the age she was when Amber went away," Shirley said.
"Leah's smarter and more independent now, and it's hard [for Amber] to say, 'Wow, you're not a baby anymore. I don't have to hold the cup for you!'" Shirley added.
