TEEN Mom star Ryan Edwards is prepared to call his ex-fiancee Maci Bookout and their son Bentley, 16, to testify in his divorce from his estranged wife Mackenzie if the case goes to trial.
Ryan, 36, and Mackenzie, 27, have been going through a tumultuous divorce since she filed to end their six-year marriage in February 2023.
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The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal that if the case proceeds to trial, Ryan is prepared to call up his baby mama Maci, 33, and their son Bentley, who have been his support system throughout his sobriety journey.
In court papers obtained by The U.S. Sun, Ryan was asked to list “each person whom you expect to call as witnesses and/or expert witnesses at trial.”
Ryan listed Maci, Bentley, his mom Jen, dad Larry, aunt Beth and a representative from CADAS rehab.
When asked to provide a list of names of “any and all individuals who have any knowledge regarding any claim or defense in this action,” he responded, “Also, treating physicians, counselors, for the parties and the children.
“Her family, my family and friends also have knowledge of our grounds for divorce.”
Ryan was then asked in the court papers to describe why he should be named the primary residential custodian of the parties’ minor children, he said, “severe parental alienation is happening with mother.”
As for evidence of his allegation for divorce, Ryan claimed to have “text messages between myself and Mackenzie, pictures of myself and child and any audio recordings.”
Court papers also reveal Mackenzie’s ex-boyfriend Josh Panter will be deposed.
Mackenzie dated Josh from January 2023 to the summer.
Ryan is claiming in court papers that Mackenzie “is guilty of inappropriate marital conduct and adultery.”
He continued, “She was having an affair with Josh Panter since approximately June 2022.”
Mackenzie responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment, “I understand that he may be seeking solace or justification for his past actions. However, I find it harmful and dishonest to portray himself as a victim.
“Ryan’s focus should be on providing for and nurturing his children, both from our relationship and others. The pain he has caused our family is not forgotten.
“Unlike Ryan, I cannot attribute my actions to an addiction. My children and I have clear memories of the suffering we endured and continue to endure because of his choices.
“He needs to prioritize his responsibilities as a father and stop with the objective lies.”
ON RYAN’S SIDE
Viewers have watched Ryan mend his relationship with Maci on MTVs Teen Mom: The Next Chapter.
This season also focuses on Ryan bonding with his 16-year-old son Bentley.
Maci and Ryan have had a tumultuous relationship through the years because of his addiction and marriage to Mackenzie, who Maci did not get along with.
As Ryan worked on his sobriety, Maci reconciled with him and formed a relationship with his now-fiancée Amanda Conner, who she went to high school with.
The family spends holidays and milestones together, including Ryan’s one-year sober celebration and Bentley’s 16th birthday.
DAD DEBT
The U.S. Sun previously reported on Ryan’s financial situation.
Ryan was asked to provide “each and every checking account” maintained by him in the last three years.
One checking account in his sole name had a balance of $2,200 as of September 2024.
In another account, which he shares with his mom, Jen, there is a balance of just $57.47 as of September 2024.
When asked to disclose savings accounts and retirement plans, Ryan responded, “none.”
In regard to debt, Ryan listed Capital One credit cards totaling $18,000.
He also listed a Rocket Mortgage Loan for the $320,000 Harrison, Tennessee home he shared with Mackenzie.
Ryan also cited under debt his 2020 and 2021 income taxes, as he explained in the court papers, “Mackenzie told me she had the taxes done filing jointly, but as I found out this year, they were not filed.
“I am in the process of trying to get the 1099’s from New Remote Productions but have not received them yet. I do not know how much was made in those years.”
As for personal property owned by Ryan, he listed a 2018 Ford F-150 truck with a value of $25,000, a 2017 Harley Davidson with a value of $18,000, a 2024 Ducati Motorcycle worth $24,000, a 2018 Jet Ski worth $8,000 and various tools worth $50,000.
Ryan listed he is employed as a diesel mechanic doing 12-hour shifts three days a week for $27 an hour.
Ryan began the job in August 2024.
He also stars on MTV’s Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, which is currently airing.
He said of his income from the network in court papers, “Depends on number of episodes I am in. $35,000 per episode.”
CHILD SUPPORT BATTLE
This comes after the court ruled on February 3 that Ryan must pay Mackenzie temporary child support in the amount of $1,553 per month for their two children Jagger, 6, and Stella, 4, The U.S. Sun could confirm.
The Ashley’s Reality Roundup was the first to report on the child support order.
The outlet also reported Ryan’s fiancée Amanda is now allowed to be around their children, per the judge.
In October, Mackenzie requested child support from Ryan, as she claimed he “refused” to pay.
In court papers obtained by The U.S. Sun, Ryan filed financial information ahead of their hearing.
He listed his monthly income as $16,010 a month.
His “good faith estimate” of Mackenzie’s monthly income is $4,166.
Ryan also revealed Mackenzie has Jagger and Stella in her custody 339 days of the year, while he has them just 26 days.
In Mackenzie’s child support petition, she revealed Ryan is employed and has income from MTV’s Teen Mom.
“Because mother has physical custody of the parties’ two children and father is gainfully employed, the Court should order child support to be paid by Father to Mother during the pendency of this case, and at the final hearing said child support obligation be made permanent.”
Mackenzie listed her monthly income as $3,000.
Her “good faith estimate of income” for Ryan was $18,440 a month.
She claimed Jagger and Stella are with her 365 days of the year, while they’re with Ryan “zero days.”
Mackenzie asked the court to set current child support and retroactive child support back to the date of separation.
Her motion for child support was paused pending mediation, but they were unable to come to an agreement during their December meeting.
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MEDIATION NIGHTMARE
The U.S. Sun previously reported on their unsuccessful mediation.
“Mackenzie wanted a slow transition for Amanda to meet their children,” a source previously told The U.S. Sun. “She wanted Ryan to exercise his parenting rights with their new agreement for four months and then slowly introduce the kids to Amanda.
“But Ryan wanted to have the children meet her immediately.”
According to the insider, the children go to his mom Jen and dad Larry’s Tennessee home every other weekend, where Ryan is allowed parenting time with them.
“The judge gives him overnight and he doesn’t do it,” the source claimed. “Mackenzie wanted to see how one night supervised with the children would go, but he hasn’t participated in a single overnight visit.”
The insider added, “They won’t be divorced by the time the baby comes in February.
“If Ryan wanted it to be over, it would be over.”
FIRING BACK AT MACKENZIE
To add to the fighting, Ryan requested the court hold Mackenzie in contempt of court, which would result in a fine or jail sentence, in court papers filed on January 23.
The documents read, “The parties are under a court order prohibiting the parties from “transferring, assigning, borrowing against, concealing or in any way dissipating, without the consent of the other party or an order of the court, of any marital property.”
Ryan claims that without his consent, Mackenzie “intentionally, willfully and/or maliciously disposed of the following marital property.”
The items include a plasma cutter, two welders, a jet ski, a toolbox, various tools, car jack, race car/motor/transmission, a lawnmower, a kayak, a generator, a pressure washer, a sectional couch, hunting rifle and more.
The court papers continued, “Plaintiff made no attempt to discuss the sale, gift or transfer of these assets with Defendant or Defendant’s counsel.
“Many of these items were of significant monetary and/or sentimental value to Defendant.”
Mackenzie did not respond to the filing and declined to comment to The U.S. Sun.
The Ashley’s Reality Roundup reported Ryan has been given access to the marital home to inspect and inventory the contents of the home.
IT’S OVER
Mackenzie filed to end the marriage in February 2023 after accusing him of abuse.
She then filed an Order of Protection in March 2023.
The order asked Ryan to have no contact and stay away from her.
Mackenzie requested she be granted temporary custody of her children, and for Ryan to pay child and spousal support.
Mackenzie sought for Ryan to join a counseling and substance abuse program at the time of the filing.
Ryan told The U.S. Sun at the time of the abuse claims, “I don’t speak for her. I never wanted to hurt her, just tried telling her I would have loved to work on it because I still at the time wanted to.”
The Order of Protection was dropped at a July 14, 2023 court hearing to allow Ryan to speak with their children through her.
Then, The U.S. Sun obtained exclusive photos of Ryan and Mackenzie reuniting in August 2023 outside of his rehab facility.
Despite spending time together, he began dating Amanda after meeting at rehab in the summer of 2023.
CUSTODY BATTLE
Mackenzie and Ryan’s divorce was dismissed in February 2024 because there were no filings for 270 days.
Ryan then filed a new complaint for divorce on March 6, 2024, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
In court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Ryan requested split custody of their children.
Ryan requested he be the “designated the primary residential parent” and “that child support be assigned from [Mackenzie’s] income.”
Mackenzie never responded to the filing and the case was consolidated with the original divorce.
RYAN’S LEGAL TROUBLES
Ryan has been sober for nearly two years, as he had a year of legal trouble after a relapse.
He was sentenced to nearly one year in Silverdale Detention Center in April 2023 after Ryan was arrested for drinking under the influence, harassment, and drug possession charges.
He was released from prison in July 2023 and entered Cadas Rehab in Chattanooga, Tennessee to complete a 28-day program.
After completing the program, he was ordered to the Oasis halfway house, located on the same property as Cadas, during a court hearing in August 2023.
Ryan was then arrested in December 2023 for not following the terms of his probation.
He was released weeks later and has stayed out of trouble.
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter Cast
In September 2022, MTV blended their long-running shows Teen Mom OG and Teen Mom 2 to one series following the young mothers’ experiences raising their kids and co-parenting with their baby dads. Here’s a list of the entire Teen Mom: The Next Chapter cast.
‘SO HEALTHY!’
Fans have praised Ryan, as he appears healthier since getting sober.
One fan wrote, “Love this Ryan. Actually engaging in conversation & not just giving one-word answers. You can tell straight away he’s living a much happier & healthier life.”
A second person said, “Ryan is looking a hell of a lot healthier.”
A third echoed, “Ryan looks so healthy! I love this for all of them.”
Ryan and Amanda welcomed their daughter, Presley Sage Eliana Edwards, last week.
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