Jace Evans Offers an Update on His Life After a Months-Long Hospital Stay
It’s been a turbulent year for Jace Evans, the 17-year-old son of Teen Mom 2 alum Jenelle Evans. For months, his whereabouts were shrouded in mystery, but fans have been closely following his path home. After months out of the public eye, Jace is finally speaking for himself again. He has officially given a glimpse into what the past several months have really been like, where he is today, and what he hopes the future will bring.
Jace Evans spent months hospitalized
Jace Evans, Jenelle’s eldest son, has been bounced between his mother’s home and his grandmother’s house for the last few years. Hints of trouble have popped up along the way, but the real drama began in late February 2026. Police responded to the home of Barbara Evans, where Jace was living. The teen was apparently in the throes of a mental health crisis, threatening to harm himself and his grandmother.
According to several sources, multiple officers responded to the scene. He was taken from the home without incident and placed in an inpatient program. Jenelle Evans, who was living in Las Vegas with her younger children at the time, still had legal custody of the teen. A custody fight broke out not long after.
Months of sparse updates, family tension, and public disagreement over what was really happening followed. Barbara briefly sought emergency custody of Jace, a request that was ultimately denied. Jace’s biological father, Andrew Lewis, started a fundraiser claiming he and Barbara were fighting to bring Jace home and cover medical and legal costs.
Jace was moved to a different facility, and neither Andrew nor Barbara were informed of his whereabouts. In April, Jenelle appeared on the La Femme Talk podcast and offered a rare update about Jace. During the chat, she claimed Jace was in a “safe” place and doing well in a “holistic” therapeutic community. She kept the details vague; her ex later spoke out, claiming Jace was not at the facility she described. While Jenelle marked Jace’s 17th birthday earlier this month on Instagram, she offered very little updated information about the teen.
He speaks out for the first time in months
Jenelle Evans’ birthday update about Jace Evans was largely unsatisfying for fans. Days later came the update fans had been waiting for: Jace spoke out for himself.
Jace was released from inpatient treatment and is now living with Barbara again in North Carolina. Jace surfaced on Instagram Live to share his own update. He told followers that his grandmother was doing well, and that he was back in North Carolina, back at work, and doing what he needs to do. Jace did not discuss the incident that thrust him into the news six months earlier. He noted that he was still connected to his siblings and was hoping to visit them when he turns 18. As for the future, Jace said he was hoping to travel and film content once he completes his schooling.
Jenelle offered her own update, claiming she and her mother made a “mutual” decision to place Jace with Barbara. Fans aren’t buying it, insisting that Jace’s placement is 100 percent connected to the mother of three’s relationship with David Eason. Jace has an active restraining order against David following a child abuse arrest several years ago. The case has yet to go to trial.
Notably, Jenelle did not travel to pick up her son from the treatment facility. She claims she’s battling knee pain, which makes travel difficult. A friend picked the teen up and helped him get back safely to his grandmother.
Where Jenelle Evans Stands With David Eason Right Now
Jace Evans’ update has led to renewed interest in Jenelle Evans’ relationship with David Eason. While Jenelle and David finalized their divorce last year, following years of drama, they’ve been spotted together since January. Eason was regularly traveling to Nevada to spend time with Jenelle, then helping her move to Florida.
Neither Jenelle nor David has ever fully confirmed they’re romantically back together, sticking instead to the language of co-parenting. Still, they’ve done little to hide the romance. Jenelle even shared a photo indicating she was spending Valentine’s Day with someone; it was clear it was Eason. How that relationship will play out now, however, is anyone’s guess. Eason’s criminal case is still moving forward.
