Hunter Johnson‘s father is attempting to put a stop to the shenanigans concerning his now-14-year-old son.
Although it was portrayed on the current season of Unexpected that Hunter’s dad, Casey, abandoned him after Hunter, then only 12, impregnated his girlfriend Bella, The Ashley can reveal that is certainly not the case. In fact, according to court documents obtained by The Ashley, Hunter’s father Casey began fighting for full custody of Hunter in court back in April 2025, in an attempt to get him away from what he called the “unstable and unwholesome environment” created by Hunter’s mom Stacie Riddle.
The Ashley can reveal that Hunter’s dad finally received temporary joint custody of him in November, and also had the court put in place restrictions so that Hunter would no longer be allowed to “live with” Bella and her family, or stay over at her house.
As The Ashley previously reported, Hunter and Bella are featured on the currently airing season of ‘Unexpected,’ which details Bella’s pregnancy with their son, Wesley.
Shockingly, Hunter impregnated then-14-year-old Bella when he was only 12 years old. Hunter’s mom Stacie, as well as Bella’s parents, have been featured on the show, but Hunter’s dad Casey has not. This is apparently due to Casey not being OK with the lifestyle Stacie was allowing for their son, which Casey claims included letting Hunter sleeping over at Bella’s and even letting him live with his girlfriend.
According to court docs obtained by The Ashley, Hunter’s dad Casey filed for full custody of Hunter in April 2025— about a month after Hunter and Bella’s son Wesley was born. Before that, Hunter’s dad and mom never set up a custody and visitation plan via the courts, and seemed to just parent him on their own, according to the court documents. After Hunter’s mom Stacie was served with Casey’s custody bid for Hunter, she asked the court to dismiss his bid for custody because— according to her– Casey didn’t have an established relationship with Hunter and was abusive.
Casey denied these claims, stating that Hunter had actually been living with him up until 2024, when Hunter moved in with his mother.
From there, according to Casey, Hunter’s life went downhill and it resulted in him becoming a 13-year-old father in March 2025.
“[Hunter’s mom] allowed the minor child to move in with his girlfriend who became pregnant soon after,” Casey states. “Further, [Casey] believes that [Stacie] provides the minor child with marijuana and does not make the minor child go to school… [Stacie] is providing an unstable and unwholesome environment for the minor child.”
(On an episode of ‘Unexpected’ that was filmed in early 2025, Stacie said on-camera that Hunter’s relationship with his dad “all fell apart after Bella got pregnant” and that Hunter’s dad basically gave up on him. Hunter claimed that his dad told him that he “ruined” his life.)
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In July 2025, Casey told the court that it had been over a year since he was allowed to see Hunter.
Eventually, Hunter’s parents’ custody battle got so nasty that Stacie asked the court for an Attorney Ad Litem to be appointed to represent Hunter’s best interest. However, in September, Hunter’s dad claimed that he was still not being allowed to visit or contact Hunter.
In November, a temporary custody order was approved by the judge that gives Hunter’s parents 50/50 custody. (This has nothing to do with custody of Hunter’s baby, Wesley, by the way, and only applies to 14-year-old Hunter.)
While his parents’ custody battle is ongoing, the arrangement is in place now that states Hunter must remain enrolled in his local school district. More importantly, the court has ordered both parents to forbid Hunter from sleeping over Bella’s home.
“Neither party shall allow the minor child to stay overnight at a romantic partner’s house,” the temporary custody order states.
Last month, the Attorney Ad Litem was appointed for Hunter.
Bella herself actually confirmed that there is, indeed, a court order forbidding Hunter from shacking up with her. In a video posted to TikTok over the weekend, Bella answered a fan’s question about whether or not Hunter stays the night at her house to help with their baby.
“He’s currently— and I’m going to keep this as vague as I possibly can— going through a custody battle with both of his parents. He is not allowed to stay with me, per court decision,” Bella said. “… he cannot stay the night anymore. He has stayed before.”
Bella then disputed what the court documents allege.
“He never lived with me,” she said. “I know there’s been some speculation about that.”
@_izabellavaughn grwm!! #boymama #grwm #15andpregnant💙 #teenmom #babyboy ♬ original sound – bella | boy mama💌💙
Bella also confirmed over the weekend that, although she and her family are planning to move out of their town, Hunter will not be moving with them.
“He goes to school here, he’s [part of] a custody battle with his parents, he is still 14 years old,” Bella said. “So, until he can [move] he will still be living with his parents.”
His parent’s custody battle for him remains ongoing.
7 Responses
What the heck did I just read? Where is the common sense??? This crap needs to stop being glorified.
Thank goodness somebody is finally doing some damn parenting!
I thought MTV went low but TLC seems to have them beat. He was 11 and she became pregnant at 13. This is insane and disgusting. I don’t even find it entertaining. TLC channel exploits those morbidly obese folks also. The father needs custody of him. Something is terribly wrong here.
I’m glad at least ONE adult in this whole situation is behaving as such and putting boundaries in place for this kids
I cannot believe the court didn’t terminate the mom’s custody entirely. She is not a safe or decent parent. She has royally screwed this kid’s life up.
i’m still sus about his dad but regardless this is a huge win!! about time someone SANE stepped in and put a stop these two trying to play house
Sounds like his dad is the smart parent in the group. Good for him!