‘Unexpected’ Dad Anthony Vanelli Behind Bars (Again) After Violating Probation (Exclusive Details!)

…nothing ‘Unexpected’ about THIS.

Another day, another trip to the slammer for former Unexpected star Anthony Vanelli– this time for a probation violation, according to Starcasm.  

Fans of ‘Unexpected’ may remember Anthony as the ex and baby daddy of Rilah Ferrer. Fans may also remember Anthony from one of his many run-ins with the law over the years, most notably the 2023 stabbing of his mom’s boyfriend, for which Anthony was resentenced in November to 918 days of prison time. During Anthony’s resentencing last month, he was credited 918 days of prison time served while in custody following a no-contest plea to aggravated battery and nonviolent resistance of an officer.

Due to his sentence equaling the time behind bars that he was credited, Anthony was listed as a person “under community supervision” and was no longer behind bars– a status that has since changed.  

Anthony wondering what the jail will be serving for New Year’s Eve dinner…probably.

According to Starcasm, Anthony was transferred out of custody of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office December 23, only to be arrested six days later for “violation of probation/community control/summons.” The outlet reports that Anthony allegedly violated his probation/community control by failing to remain enrolled (and successfully completing) a required residential treatment program.

In a new mugshot obtained by Starcasm, Anthony is sporting an Eminem-inspired bleached blond ‘do and some shifty eyes.

Anthony was booked into a county jail in Florida on December 29, after being arrested at his parole office.

His first appearance hearing was held December 30, where he filed paperwork to be determined to be of “criminal indigent” status (aka too poor to afford a lawyer or legal services). He claimed he makes $0 and has no dependents and no assets. He was determined to indeed be indigent and was appointed a public defender, according to court hearing minutes obtained by The Ashley.

On Wednesday, Anthony appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the violation charge. He waved arraignment and requested a jury trial. As there was no bond set, it appears that Anthony will be behind bars until his next hearing, which is February 9.

“Well this ain’t good…”

As The Ashley previously reported, Anthony was ordered last month to attend a dual-diagnosis inpatient treatment program– intended to address both his substance use and underlying mental health issues– as soon as a bed in a facility was available for him. In court records, the judge noted that Anthony was not allowed to “consume or possess any controlled substances including cannabis without a valid prescription to the defendant by a licensed physician.”  

Anthony was also ordered to participate in two years of community control (AKA house arrest, but with the opportunity to leave for things like work or treatment), followed by three years of probation. 

As you may remember, Anthony was initially sentenced to 16 months in prison for “repeatedly stabbing” his mom Rebecca’s boyfriend after an argument escalated due to Anthony carrying a knife around the house. Rebecca’s boyfriend allegedly asked Anthony at the time why he was carrying the knife, especially considering there were children in the home, and Anthony replied that it was “for [his] protection.” Anthony proceeded to stab his mom’s boyfriend in the chest and back before fleeing their Florida home. Anthony’s sisters “rendered aid” to their mom’s boyfriend before the ambulance arrived, while police worked to track down Anthony. 

Anthony and his mom, Rebecca, on Season 3 of Unexpected…

Following the incident, Rebecca informed police that Anthony suffers from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which prompted Anthony’s public defender to file a motion in March of this year to declare Anthony not competent to stand trial. According to the motion, Anthony “suffers from a mental illness” and “does not have the present ability to consult with his counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.” 

After receiving an evaluation from a professional in June, the judge ruled Anthony not competent to stand trial and he was admitted to the Department of Children and Family Services. However, after a transport order was issued, a representative from Anthony’s treatment facility claimed in November that Anthony was “competent to proceed, or otherwise no longer meets the criteria for continued commitment,” which led to his resentencing. 

RELATED STORY: ‘Unexpected’ Dad Ethan Ybarra Recovering After Having Surgery to Remove Cancer From His Face: “Melanoma Cancer Is No Joke!” 

(Photos: TLC; Instagram) 

2 Responses


  1. He tried to commit murder by repeatedly stabbing someone. That’s up close and personal. He didn’t trip with a knife in his hands and oopsie daisy it accidentally plunged into his mother’s ex. It was a deliberate act by a nut job. He should have still been in prison for that. Clearly he is a danger and a super slow learner.


    1. It really aggravates me that his mom immediately played the mental illness card. I’m BP1. I do have delusions/hallucinations. However, none now that I take meds. Very,very few people with these illnesses are truly physically violent or dangerous. This kid is just an asshole. Just like Adam Lind and Amber portwood are assholes too. It’s not always a mental illness. That’s an excuse most of the time.

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