Jenelle Evans’ Son Jace Was Reported Missing 3 Times: His Runaway and CPS Timeline Amid Reunion

August 15, 2023

Jace was first reported missing after he was last seen leaving school around 2:45 p.m. on August 15. He was found that same day a few hours later. Rumors swirled that his runaway attempt had to do with the drama between Jenelle and her husband David Eason, but she denied these claims.

“As a boy mom, kids can act up and rebel as I’m sure the majority of us all once did as kids too. Jace got in trouble at school, we decided to take his phone away and that’s when he decided to run off,” Jenelle said at the time. “Jace is a good kid and we’re not dealing with anything that most families don’t deal with while raising children … This is a teenage boy being a teenager mad that we decided to take his phone away.”

August 28, 2023

Jenelle contacted the authorities about Jace’s second disappearance on August 28. The mom of three had reportedly become concerned after she didn’t hear from Jace for several hours. He was later found at a gas station 10 minutes away from their home.

“Jenelle is a momma bear raising a teenage boy. Jace likes exploring his extensive property that has woods, lakes,” the former reality star’s manager, August Keen, said in a statement to In Touch at the time. “He decided to explore too far Jenelle got worried and called the police after he didn’t come back before it became dark.”

The statement also noted that Jace and the rest of the family were doing “fine” and that there was “nothing to be alarmed about.” August continued, “Jace is a teenager finding his independence, wanting a bit more freedom, and Jenelle is a momma bear.”

September 28, 2023

Jace was reported missing for the third time after police came to Jenelle’s house around 8 p.m. on September 28, according to TMZ. Jenelle reportedly told authorities that Jace had snuck out of a window in their home and did not bring his cell phone.

September 28, 2023

Authorities were dispatched to Jenelle’s mom Barbara Evans’ home at 11:30 p.m. after the 16 & Pregnant alum called 911 and reportedly claimed that the matriarch was hiding her son.

When authorities arrived and determined Jace was not there, Barbara reportedly revealed that Jace had run away because David allegedly assaulted him.

“Made contact with Barbara who advised [Jace] was not at the residence…” the police report stated, according to The Ashley. “She advised that she had spoken to [Jace] earlier in the evening when he called from an unknown number and told her about being assaulted by David Eason and that he ran away and was hiding.”

September 30, 2023

Jenelle told her followers two days later that Jace had been found. “I just want privacy for me and my family right now,” Jenelle said in a video. “He’s safe but that’s not the point of this video. I just kind of want to keep my content away from the drama right now, kay?”

October 2, 2023

In Touch confirmed that Jace had been checked into the hospital following his third disappearance. “CPS got involved when Jace was checked into [the] hospital,” Jenelle’s manager exclusively told In Touch. “Jace is still in the hospital yes, they are doing a mental health evaluation.”

October 4, 2023

Local law enforcement confirmed to TMZ that Jenelle and her husband were under investigation for child neglect after visible marks were found on Jace’s neck and arm. According to the publication, the alleged assault took place at someone else’s house and footage from a Ring camera was taken in as evidence by Child Protective Services (CPS) and police.

One day prior, Jenelle slammed claims that Jace was taken away from her custody but confirmed she had “already been checked.”

“My son was never taken from my custody. My son is still in my custody. I still have primary custody,” she said in a video clip posted on TikTok on October 3. “And if you don’t think I’m being thoroughly looked at right now, you have that wrong because I have.”

October 15, 2023

Jenelle defended her husband from the allegations and commended him for demonstrating “the most patience I’ve ever seen.”

“He is being accused of some horrible, horrible s–t that is not true. I was there, my kids were there, everyone was there. You guys have no idea about the details,” she told her followers via TikTok. “It just makes me really sad for David. Because David is like, he’s just taking all of these punches, rolling with it, not saying s–t. I don’t blame him, and I feel really bad for him because my kids adore that man. My kids love that man so much.”

October 24, 2023

David was charged with misdemeanor child abuse, according to TMZ.

An hour after the news broke, Janelle appeared to confirm the charge via her Instagram Stories.

“You would think police wouldn’t make a one sided police investigation. They didn’t conduct interviews. Didn’t ask any information from the parents,” she detailed. “This seems like a very bias situation like every time before. I trusted the detective with all my heart. Forgot you can’t trust cops. Silly me. I do not trust anyone around me. Going MIA for a while.”

October 26, 2023

At the time of his charges, a criminal summons was issued for David. He was accused of inflicting “physical injury” on Jace, leaving “marks on the right arm and left and right side of the neck,” according to court documents viewed by In Touch. 

According to the summons, Jace’s injuries were “inflicted by other than accidental.” David is due in court in Columbus County on November 29.

October 26, 2023

Despite David’s legal issues, Janelle and David remained that their “main focus” was Jace’s “mental health.”

“Everything else is secondary,” Jenelle’s manager, August Keen, exclusively explained to In Touch. “Currently loaded up with a serious legal team to deal with David’s charges, criminal charges and civil suits that Jenelle has filed.”

The rep added that Jenelle was also “continuing to file against other entities” who are supposedly “responsible for twisting and spinning the facts and truth causing irreparable damage to Jenelle’s family and current business dealings.”

“We were asked to remain quiet for now by Jenelle’s legal team, and out of respect for Jace and his mental state and privacy by Jenelle,” her rep’s statement continued. “But we will release more direct and truthful facts as we’re able too, according to Jenelle’s legal team recommendations and Jace’s journey of healing and growth.”

November 17, 2023

After moving back in with Barbara amid the CPS investigation, Jace went missing from his grandmother’s home on November 17, according to The Ashley. He was then found at 9:30 p.m. on November 18 and admitted to the hospital.

“Jace was dealing with a lot. He was aware that if he got into trouble, he wouldn’t be able to stay at Barb’s,” a source told The Ashley, adding that he “wasn’t able to get on his proper medications while he was at Barbara’s, due to Jenelle still having the power to deny him access to certain meds.”

Jenelle responded to the report by claiming that it was “not true,” telling In Touch that Jace’s medical information was “no one’s business.”

“All medical decisions are not being made by neither my mother or myself at the moment,” Jenelle told In Touch. “I cannot comment about the details at the moment due to the ongoing court case.”

November 21, 2023

After his fourth runaway attempt and subsequent hospitalization, sources told TMZ on November 21 that CPS planned to put Jace in foster care. The insiders also revealed that Jace’s latest disappearance was seemingly a response to his phone being taken away by Barbara after he was caught vaping in school.

February 15, 2024

Jenelle revealed that the CPS case against her and David had been dropped. “I have some good news, and I’m kind of shaking right now from anxiety. All allegations against me and my husband have been officially dropped. CPS took a voluntary dismissal, and I wanted to be the first to let you guys know,” Jenelle told fans in a TikTok video.

“I’d appreciate it if everyone respects my son’s privacy so he can get his mental health in check. And just know that I am super happy,” she added

The former MTV star didn’t reveal at the time if she would be getting custody of Jace back. The Ashley’s Reality Roundup reported in January 2024 that there were plans for the teen to enter a long-term mental health facility.

February 20, 2024