Child custody agreements can change based on individual life circumstances. If a loved one dies, for instance, custody agreements may be modified to accommodate the new situation. Country singer Mindy McCready is in legal limbo again after her boyfriend’s suicide, which has sparked a new child custody battle for her 5-year-old son. McCready, along with her mother and the boy’s father, will all be fighting for primary custody in the coming months. McCready is planning to travel to Arkansas to be with the boy, according to media reports.
Just over a year ago, the country superstar captured the attention of a nation when she was found hiding in a closet with the boy after abducting him from his grandmother. McCready’s mother became the boy’s legal guardian after her drug and alcohol addictions became so overwhelming that the singer could no longer care for the boy. The boy’s father also has visitation rights and sees him regularly. The man is also expected to travel to Arkansas to spend more time with his child during the coming weeks.
The custody battle is looming in the wake of the suicide of McCready’s live-in boyfriend. The man killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head; he was found on Jan. 13 and pronounced dead hours after the incident. The man’s death is likely to have a significant bearing on a judge’s custody decision, according to media reports. McCready will also be fighting for custody of a 9-month-old child she had with the deceased man. Since living with the man, the singer had proven that she had beaten her addictions, and she was able to regain custody of her son in February 2012.
McCready has been arrested multiple times in the past after being charged with identity theft, unlawful imprisonment and hindering prosecution. She has also struggled with mental health problems, including two incidents of apparent attempted suicide.
The custody battle is likely to continue as McCready’s mother and the boy’s father pursue additional legal action.
