Southern Charm's Kathryn Dennis Just Got Heartbreaking News
After seven seasons of watching Kathryn Dennis' drama with ex-boyfriend, Thomas Ravenel, play out, viewers recently learned of a sad turn of events. The last season of Bravo's hit show, Southern Charm chronicled Dennis' experience learning that Ravenel was expecting a child with his new girlfriend, and fans watched as she started a new relationship of her own. Unfortunately, People reports that she has now lost custody of her two children, Kensie and Saint, temporarily.
The outlet explains that their original custody battle, which proved exceedingly ugly, finally ended last year. But, in February, a court ordered that the two children remain in the care of their father, with Ravenel's lawyer explaining in a statement that "Ms. Dennis currently has weekend, daytime supervised visitation with the parties' minor children and that Mr. Ravenel plans to relocate with the children to Aiken, South Carolina this summer."
A far cry from their joint custody agreement, the new arrangement stemmed from unknown reasons. Ravenel's attorney explained, "Due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved, all documents in this case have been sealed, meaning the public cannot access them, and neither Mr. Ravenel, Ms. Dennis, nor their respective attorneys are permitted to release them to third parties." The lawyer added, "As such, and in keeping with the spirit of the protective order, I will not go into detail regarding the circumstances that necessitated the changes to the parties' custodial arrangement."
Kathryn Dennis was originally required to keep a nanny
Prior to the new developments, the 29-year-old mother-of-two split custody 36 percent/64 percent, with Ravenel having the majority of the overnight stays. In the summer, People reports, the children were with either their mother or father for a week at a time on a 50/50 basis. However, instead of paying child support, Ravenel agreed to pay a nanny to help Dennis care for the children.
As of late, rumors have swirled around the reason for the sudden and drastic change in their custodial arrangement. In 2016, Dennis entered a rehabilitation facility to recover from marijuana addiction, while Ravenel spent 30 days in jail after being charged with counts of battery. Later, a former nanny accused him of sexual assault.
Throughout their years-long battle, both have accused each other of substance abuse as well. Us Weekly reports that Dennis alleged that Ravenel had mixed prescription medications with excessive amounts of alcohol in 2018. However, the 58-year-old former Senate hopeful later countered with an accusation of his own, saying that she "abuses prescription drugs, is engaged in the use of illegal drugs, and consumes alcohol in combination thereof regularly. [Dennis] has been intoxicated by the abuse of prescription drugs and/or use of illegal drugs while in sole care."
In addition to substance abuse concerns, the pair have both accused one another of failing to pay child support. Making things more complicated, Ravenel welcomed his third child with girlfriend Heather Mascoe, in June of 2020.
Time will tell if Dennis is able to retain custody of her children and at least move past supervised visits.