Amber Portwood Custody Update, ‘Teen Mom OG’ Star Wants ‘Some Control’
Amber Portwood signed over her rights to daughter Leah to the child’s father, Gary Shirley, before entering prison in June of 2012, but now, the Teen Mom OG star is hoping to regain those rights.
During a Teen Mom OG: Featured Moment on May 28, via MTV News, Amber Portwood spoke of her decision to file for joint custody of Leah, and revealed their situation wouldn’t change all that much.
“I think Leah would adjust to joint custody very well. We do it now. We practice it now. So, it isn’t a change, it’s just legal.”
Following Amber Portwood’s early release from prison in November, 2013, she began getting reacquainted with the little girl, and now, they have a great relationship, which Amber Portwood hopes will only improve once she’s granted more rights.
“I don’t feel any less of a mother, because I know I’m a good mom to her, and we have an amazing relationship and anybody watching this can see it, but I want to feel like I have some control. I see [Leah], and nothing is wrong with that, but I want to have a bit of say-so in everything that goes on in her life, not just because…I don’t want to be completely separated from her. “
According to Amber Portwood, her past issues, including her prison stint, violence, and drug use, shouldn’t be held against her because she’s in such a good place at the current time. While the reality star struggled for years with an addiction to prescription drugs, she now stays partially sober, choosing only to drink.
“Even though I go to school meetings and things like that with Gary, I don’t have a say-so. I don’t sign those papers, and it might sound ridiculous to some people, but in my head, it makes me feel better.”
As the Inquisitr previously reported, many fans believe Amber Portwood shouldn’t be drinking, but according to her, she never does so in excess, and her abstinence from drugs isn’t at risk. Although experts may disagree, as would others who are truly sober (meaning they stay clean from both alcohol and drugs), Amber Portwood claims drinking was never her issue — her issue was prescription drugs.
People yes I drink wine on special occasions..my problem was pills never alcohol…love
— Amber Portwood (@AmberLPortwood) May 14, 2015
For more Amber Portwood, tune into the Teen Mom OG Reunion: Part 1 on Monday at 10 p.m. on MTV.
[Photo via Twitter]
