DeAnna Pappas, a former star of The Bachelorette, recently found herself in the headlines after a tense altercation with her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano, led to her arrest. On February 27, Pappas was taken into custody at the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station and booked on a misdemeanor charge. She was released the same day on a $20,000 bond and is set to appear in court on March 20. While the situation is still unfolding, it has brought to light a deeply personal and complicated family drama involving accusations of alcohol use, custody disputes, and allegations of domestic violence.
Pappas, 43, and her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano, 41, have been navigating a difficult divorce since finalizing their split in June 2024 after 11 years of marriage. The couple shares two children, Addison, 11, and Austin, 9, and had agreed to joint custody as part of their settlement. However, the peace was short-lived, as tensions apparently escalated in the weeks leading up to Pappas’ arrest. According to InTouch Weekly, Stephen’s mother, Lynn Stagliano, filed a declaration in the divorce case, alleging that she smelled alcohol on Pappas’ breath when she visited her home on February 26 to help get Austin ready for school. Lynn claimed she left immediately after noticing this, which seems to have sparked further conflict.
The altercation on February 26 appears to have been a breaking point. Pappas has since filed a restraining order against Stephen, accusing him of showing up at her home to pick up their daughter and making inappropriate demands. According to Pappas, Stephen asked her to walk closer so he could smell her breath, allegedly to check if she was drunk. She claims she had not consumed any alcohol and ignored the request, but the situation quickly escalated. Pappas alleges that Stephen followed her into her garage, left their daughter alone in his running car, and refused to leave when she asked him to. She says he shoved her forcefully, leaving her in fear for her safety. She locked herself inside her house and waited for the police to arrive. However, when authorities arrived, Stephen reportedly told them that she was the aggressor and pressed charges against her for domestic violence. Despite his claims of her being intoxicated, Pappas was not given a sobriety test, and the arresting officer showed no concern about her level of intoxication. After being released on bail, Pappas claims she voluntarily submitted to drug and alcohol testing and tested negative for both, which she hopes will help clear her name.
This incident has highlighted the bitter custody battle between Pappas and Stagliano. Pappas has denied Stephen’s allegations that she is an alcoholic, calling them “fabricated” and accusing him of trying to alienate their children from her. She has also accused Stephen of coaching their daughter to look for signs of alcohol in their home, claiming this is part of a broader effort to portray her in a negative light. Pappas has maintained that she is not an alcoholic and that Stephen’s claims are intended to gain leverage in their custody dispute. On the other hand, Stephen’s mother’s declaration and his own allegations suggest that he is concerned about Pappas’ behavior and its potential impact on their children.
The divorce settlement had included specific terms about alcohol use during custody periods. Both parents agreed not to drink in excess of the legal limit while with their children or to have the children in their care while intoxicated. They also agreed not to consume narcotics 12 hours before or during periods of custody. These terms were clearly meant to ensure the children’s well-being, but the recent allegations suggest that trust between the parents has broken down.
As the situation continues to unfold, it’s clear that this is a deeply personal and emotional conflict involving two parents trying to navigate their roles as co-parents while also dealing with their own personal struggles. The legal system will ultimately decide the outcome, but the real challenge for Pappas and Stagliano will be finding a way to move forward in a way that prioritizes the well-being and stability of their children. For now, the case serves as a reminder of how complex and painful custody battles can become, especially when allegations of substance use and domestic violence are involved.
