Amber Portwood, the fiery and sometimes violent star of 'Teen Mom,' broke down during a reunion episode Tuesday night after Dr. Drew Pinsky confronted her about the abuse she inflicted -- on camera -- on her former fiance, Gary Shirley. Now, there are reports that she is being investigated for domestic violence by police in Anderson, Ind., and the state Department of Child Services, and could face felony charges for punching Shirley in front of their daughter, Leah.
In Indiana and other states, domestic violence in front of a child under the age of 14 can result in felony charges, Caryn Burton, training director at the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, told HollywoodLife.com. There has also been some talk about whether the MTV camera crew's decision to not intervene in the attacks could merit misdemeanor charges, as it is similarly against Indiana state law to not report witnessed domestic or child abuse.
The story was addressed in-depth this morning on the 'Today' show.
According to Life & Style, whose headline this week refers to Amber as an "Out-of-Control MONSTER," Portwood has become something of a pariah in her hometown since her violent behavior aired on a Sept. 28 episode of 'Teen Mom.' In an editorial entitled "Reality TV Giving Wrong Impression of Anderson" in a local newspaper, The Herald Bulletin, an Anderson-based reporter had a lot to say about Amber's behavior.
"She kicked and punched him seven times before kicking him in the back as he walked down a flight of stairs ... Reality shows prey on featuring people who appear to be undereducated, narcissistic and full of anger," the piece reads. "'Teen Mom' is not the national image Anderson wants. We don't push our loved ones down stairs. We don't take pride that our teenage girls are 16 and pregnant. We don't all drop out of high school."
At the time, MTV told the Herald Bulletin: "Our role in 'Teen Mom' is to document how incredibly challenging and difficult being a teen parent is. In this particular instance, we monitored the situation to make sure no one was in imminent danger and that the child was not there."
However, the child, Leah, was present during at least one of several different altercations between Amber and Gary, and according to HollywoodLife.com, "Failure to report child abuse/neglect is a crime ... Indiana law requires any person who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect to make an immediate oral report to DCS or to law enforcement."
When confronted about the situation by Pinsky, Amber broke down in tears and claimed to have "blacked out" during the incident, saying she only remembers striking Gary once. For his part, a source close to Gary told RadarOnline that he believes Amber is a "great mother."
'Teen Mom' star Maci and fellow teen mom Bristol Palin posed together at an event in New York City on May 5. Check out more 'Mom' photos >>
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NEW YORK - MAY 05: (L-R) TV Personality from MTV's "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout and Bristol Palin attend The Candie's Foundation Event To Prevent at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maci Bookout;Bristol Palin
NEW YORK - MAY 05: TV Personality from MTV's "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout attends The Candie's Foundation Event To Prevent at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maci Bookout
NEW YORK - MAY 05: (L-R) TV Personality from MTV's "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout and Bristol Palin attend The Candie's Foundation Event To Prevent at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maci Bookout;Bristol Palin
NEW YORK - MAY 05: TV Personality from MTV's "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout attends The Candie's Foundation Event To Prevent at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maci Bookout
NEW YORK - MAY 05: (L-R) TV Personality from MTV's "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout, Bristol Palin and Brianda Diaz attend The Candie's Foundation Event To Prevent at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maci Bookout;Bristol Palin;Brianda;Diaz
NEW YORK - MAY 05: TV Personality from MTV's "Teen Mom" Maci Bookout attends The Candie's Foundation Event To Prevent at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maci Bookout
NEW YORK - MAY 05: (L-R) Farrah Abraham, Maci Bookout and Bristol Palin speak to Dr. Drew Pinsky during " The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All" Town Hall Meeting sponsored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Farrah Abraham;Maci Bookout;Bristol Palin;Dr. Drew Pinsk
NEW YORK - MAY 05: (L-R) CEO of Candie's, Neil Cole, Bristol Palin and Dr. Drew Pinsky attend " The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All" Town Hall Meeting sponsored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Neil Cole;Bristol Palin;Dr. Drew Pinsky
Bristol Palin and Dr. Drew attend " The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All" Town Hall Meeting sposored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. "The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All" Town Hall Meeting Sposored By The Candie's Foundation Lighthouse International Conference Center New York, NY United States May 5, 2010 Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com To license this image (17257527), contact WireImage.com
Bristol Palin attends " The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All" Town Hall Meeting sposored by The Candie's Foundation at Lighthouse International Conference Center on May 5, 2010 in New York City. "The Harsh Truth: Teen Moms Tell All" Town Hall Meeting Sposored By The Candie's Foundation Lighthouse International Conference Center New York, NY United States May 5, 2010 Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage.com To license this image (17257536), contact WireImage.com
For everyone reading this: I think this young woman has anger issues because her expectations were different from reality. I think she believed herself and Gary were going to be together and raise little Leah together, which isn't the case. I also think she's angry that she had to grow up so fast and hasn't had any cooperation from those around her who should've been there to support her. I don't condone violence, from anyone, but I do believe this story is deeper than we are seeing. She needs anger management and some therapy. I think the child will suffer if she's not with her mom. Remember this young woman is just a child herself.
I agree, the idea that anyone has to "think over" pressing charges is absurd! If that was the Mn hitting the woman, aII heII wouId be breaking Ioose! The vioIence this baby is growing up around is going to be devastating to her down the road! AIso, when that psychotic, spoiIed brat Mother doesn't have the Father to abuse, she's very ikeIy to turn that abuse onto her chiId! Wake up, peopIe- this isn't a joke or entertainment, it's very dysfuntionaI kids, who are now raising kids of their own, and the resuIts are going to be tragic!
i feel awful for gary! i watch the show & everytime she yells at him i cringe but that episode where she attacked him physically really bothered me. 1.because hes a nice guy & doesnt deserve it & 2.because the cameras kept rolling & not one person tried to stop her. if that was a girl being punch, you know the camera crew would have been seen trying to stop the guy. & i dont wanna hear how its a guy so its different. im a girl & i can throw a punch =)point being i agree that charges should be pressed against her for sure!
for it to be attempted murder you have to actually have intention to try and kill someone. you can't through up attempted murder charges everytime someoe does something that might possibility in the grade scheme of things may have gotten someone killed. lol, that reminds me of sideshow bob in the simpsons when during his attempted murder charge after trying to kill bart for the umteeth millionth time he laments "Attempted murder? Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel prize for attempted chemistry? Do they?"
More reason to have a license or a certificate of parental care training before having a child. You have to have a license to drive, a license to have a gun, a license to practice law. But none to be a parent. Especially for uneducated dropouts like this sleazoid.
Definately not attempted murder (I work in a law office,) but I get the point your trying to make. Amber absuing Gary is serious business and everyone needs to stop treating it like a joke. She should be in JAIL and Leah should be placed with Gary somewhere away from Amber.
she is nothing but WT. white trash . she dose nothing but lay in bed and yell at leah and gary . she needs to have her a-- in lock down to get help and go to school . she is alllways hitting gary in front of there child .lease knife out in the babys reach while she is laying in bed in the other room where leah can grab it . she yells way too much in front of that poor baby. if it was the other way around they would have gary locked up asap .its the same thing ABUSE IS ABUSE .NO MATTER ,MAN WOMAN OR CHILD !!
She damn well BETTER be under investigation! If that had been a man smacking a woman around?? He'd be in jail for the next 3 years! She is a TOTAL dirt ball. They always smack their spouses and kids around. That's why they perpetuate poverty and just being gross human beings generation after generation. Thank god that guy didn't hit her back. Thank god he had more sense than her. She is so ugly and gross.
Excellent points...Amber do you see what is being said about you...and now you are so smart you have a jailbird boyfriend. You make great choices don't you.....yep you really have it together and really are doing better NOT!
I think what Amber did to Gary is absolutely WRONG on all levels. Saying that I also have to say that Amber is Bipolar and not taking her medication. She is a totally different person when she is on her meds., look up Bipolar Disorder and you will understand what she is doing here when she is NOT on her meds. Bipolar people and those that are in a relationship with them are on a roller coaster ride, highs and lows. She needs to stay on her medication if she wants to keep herself under control and also to keep her child. She definitely needs therapy. Get help Amber you need it, do it for yourself and your child.
I'm sorry, she was so fake on the show last night. She also contradicted herself, she says she "white's out" then she said she is conscious of all of her actions before she makes them....hmmm, FAKE! I honestly think she is on drugs. Someone needs to take that child away from her and Gary should leave her for GOOD! He is a much better father than she is a mother. It is dispicable how she treats both of them. All that child knows is her mommy beating her father, cursing, yelling at her not to do things that normal children do. She is unfit and should be put in rehab.
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Amber Portwood, the fiery and sometimes violent star of 'Teen Mom,' broke down during a reunion episode Tuesday night after Dr. Drew Pinsky confronted her about the abuse she inflicted -- on camera -- on her former fiance, Gary Shirley. Now, there are reports that she is being investigated for domestic violence by police in Anderson, Ind., and the state Department of Child Services, and could face felony charges for punching Shirley in front of their daughter, Leah.
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What a brat. World don't owe her crap. Who cares if she's on a show?
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amen!
"don't"? Honestly, can't you at least write in English?
For everyone reading this: I think this young woman has anger issues because her expectations were different from reality. I think she believed herself and Gary were going to be together and raise little Leah together, which isn't the case. I also think she's angry that she had to grow up so fast and hasn't had any cooperation from those around her who should've been there to support her. I don't condone violence, from anyone, but I do believe this story is deeper than we are seeing. She needs anger management and some therapy. I think the child will suffer if she's not with her mom. Remember this young woman is just a child herself.
Yeah Jim! Let's get on AOL and correct people on their grammar! Loser...
Jim. Shut up. Nitpicking might make you feel better but it's totally irrelevant.
"kicking him in the back as he walked down a flight of stairs."
Attempted murder.
How can they not press some kind of charges?
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I agree, the idea that anyone has to "think over" pressing charges is absurd! If that was the Mn hitting the woman, aII heII wouId be breaking Ioose! The vioIence this baby is growing up around is going to be devastating to her down the road! AIso, when that psychotic, spoiIed brat Mother doesn't have the Father to abuse, she's very ikeIy to turn that abuse onto her chiId! Wake up, peopIe- this isn't a joke or entertainment, it's very dysfuntionaI kids, who are now raising kids of their own, and the resuIts are going to be tragic!
i feel awful for gary! i watch the show & everytime she yells at him i cringe but that episode where she attacked him physically really bothered me. 1.because hes a nice guy & doesnt deserve it & 2.because the cameras kept rolling & not one person tried to stop her. if that was a girl being punch, you know the camera crew would have been seen trying to stop the guy. & i dont wanna hear how its a guy so its different. im a girl & i can throw a punch =)point being i agree that charges should be pressed against her for sure!
for it to be attempted murder you have to actually have intention to try and kill someone. you can't through up attempted murder charges everytime someoe does something that might possibility in the grade scheme of things may have gotten someone killed. lol, that reminds me of sideshow bob in the simpsons when during his attempted murder charge after trying to kill bart for the umteeth millionth time he laments "Attempted murder? Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel prize for attempted chemistry? Do they?"
More reason to have a license or a certificate of parental care training before having a child. You have to have a license to drive, a license to have a gun, a license to practice law. But none to be a parent. Especially for uneducated dropouts like this sleazoid.
Definately not attempted murder (I work in a law office,) but I get the point your trying to make. Amber absuing Gary is serious business and everyone needs to stop treating it like a joke. She should be in JAIL and Leah should be placed with Gary somewhere away from Amber.
I agree! The first time a guy just raised his hand to maybe; strike her, he'd have been in jail. Typical though.
she is nothing but WT. white trash . she dose nothing but lay in bed and yell at leah and gary . she needs to have her a-- in lock down to get help and go to school . she is alllways hitting gary in front of there child .lease knife out in the babys reach while she is laying in bed in the other room where leah can grab it . she yells way too much in front of that poor baby. if it was the other way around they would have gary locked up asap .its the same thing ABUSE IS ABUSE .NO MATTER ,MAN WOMAN OR CHILD !!
Reply
She damn well BETTER be under investigation! If that had been a man smacking a woman around?? He'd be in jail for the next 3 years! She is a TOTAL dirt ball. They always smack their spouses and kids around. That's why they perpetuate poverty and just being gross human beings generation after generation. Thank god that guy didn't hit her back. Thank god he had more sense than her. She is so ugly and gross.
Reply
What do you expect from the kind of white trash that gets knocked up at 16
Excellent points...Amber do you see what is being said about you...and now you are so smart you have a jailbird boyfriend. You make great choices don't you.....yep you really have it together and really are doing better NOT!
I think what Amber did to Gary is absolutely WRONG on all levels. Saying that I also have to say that Amber is Bipolar and not taking her medication. She is a totally different person when she is on her meds., look up Bipolar Disorder and you will understand what she is doing here when she is NOT on her meds. Bipolar people and those that are in a relationship with them are on a roller coaster ride, highs and lows. She needs to stay on her medication if she wants to keep herself under control and also to keep her child. She definitely needs therapy. Get help Amber you need it, do it for yourself and your child.
I'm sorry, she was so fake on the show last night. She also contradicted herself, she says she "white's out" then she said she is conscious of all of her actions before she makes them....hmmm, FAKE! I honestly think she is on drugs. Someone needs to take that child away from her and Gary should leave her for GOOD! He is a much better father than she is a mother. It is dispicable how she treats both of them. All that child knows is her mommy beating her father, cursing, yelling at her not to do things that normal children do. She is unfit and should be put in rehab.
Reply
I agree with you 100%. She was totally fake on the show last night. She does need to understand that your actions will have consequences.