TEEN Mom Jenelle Evans’ son Jace is still expected to testify against his mother’s ex, David Eason, one year after he allegedly strangled the teen.
A court source confirmed to The U.S. Sun that despite it being a year since the alleged abuse incident on September 28, 2023, the case against the 36-year-old is very much still ongoing.
“The case against David is still pending, absolutely,” the source said.
“It will be calendared when it’s ready for David to come up for charges, and his charges got upgraded to a felony on January 10th of 2024.”
The insider said that when the case is finally added to the calendar, it will be for a felony trial.
Meanwhile, a second insider added that Jace is still expected to testify at the trial, whenever that may be.
As The U.S. Sun first exclusively reported a year ago, Jace told cops David had strangled him during an incident last fall in front of a neighbor’s home in North Carolina.
Jace had run away from Jenelle’s house for a third time after the alleged incident.
In the immediate aftermath, Child Protective Services took custody of the teen and kept him until they suddenly dropped the case against Jenelle’s household, and gave Jace back to her in early 2024.
Before Jace returned to Jenelle’s home, David moved out, and the troubled stepdad began living on the couple’s docked boat.
In February, Jenelle filed for separation from David after six years of marriage.
JACE’S BRAVE FIGHT
A source previously revealed that Jace is looking forward to his day in court with his ex-stepfather.
Jenelle Evans homeschooling kids Kaiser, 10, & Ensley, 7, over fears ex David Eason could ‘snatch daughter at school’
The source claimed “Jace is adamant about going to testify. He can’t wait to take the stand. He hates David.”
The insider at the time added that conversations between the District Attorney’s office and Jace have taken place, and that officials will make sure he’s prepared to testify when the time comes.
FELONY CHARGE
The father-of-three is facing felony battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor child abuse charge after the alleged attack on the teen last fall.
In January, David was indicted on the charges, and that’s when his case was upgraded to a felony.
“They found enough evidence to take his case out of district court, where misdemeanors are held, and bring it to superior,” a court spokesperson had said.
As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported from court documents, David “willingly harmed” his stepson, and left marks on his arm and neck.
JENELLE’S DIVORCE DEMANDS
Jenelle has asked for primary physical custody of her and David’s daughter Ensley, 7, as well as for child support.
In a hearing in August, Jenelle was awarded temporary sole custody of Ensley.
The Teen Mom star has also asked the court to distribute the assets in her favor, presumably since was the family breadwinner.
Jenelle and David’s relationship timeline
The tumultuous pair have had their fair share of falling outs
Teen Mom 2 star Jenelle Evans met David Eason on Tinder in September of 2015.
Jenelle got pregnant in April 2016 and announced she suffered a miscarriage, then she became pregnant again with her and David’s daughter, Ensley, a few months later.
The pair got engaged in February 2017 and tied the knot that September.
A year after saying “I do,” Jenelle called 911 and accused David of assaulting her outside their home. She would later call the incident “a drunk and dramatic misunderstanding” and said she was “fine.”
In around May 2019, David shot and killed their French bulldog puppy named Nugget. Weeks after the incident, CPS took custody of all of the children, including their daughter, Ensley, Jenelle’s son, Kaiser, and David’s daughter, Maryssa.
When her children were returned to her, Jenelle fled to Tennessee with Kaiser and Ensley and filed an order of protection against David in October. She ultimately dropped the case and went back to him.
In the following years, the couple sparked split rumors as the pair would often unfollow each other on social media and update their Facebook relationship statuses.
As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported, on February 23, 2024, Jenelle filed for separation from David. She stated that she filed the documents with “the intent that the separation be permanent” and claimed that Eason had “exhibited concerning and at times disturbing behavior towards [her]” throughout their marriage.
Jenelle also asked the court to award her their marital home.
The MTV star has told the court in her complaint for separation that her ex has made concerning statements about the home.
“Defendant has made several statements that plaintiff cannot keep him from ‘his’ home,” the complaint read.
“Plaintiff is in need of the sole use enjoyment and possession of the property for the benefit of plaintiff and the minor children and hereby request this court to enter an order sequestering the property for the benefit of plaintiff and the minor children.”
