Former Teen Mom star Ryan Edwards has been in and out of legal trouble for years. The latest struggle came after he nearly died from a drug overdose, was arrested, released to rehab, violated his parole, and was arrested again, pleading guilty to harassing his estranged wife, Mackenzie Edwards.
Months ago, Ryan Edwards was sentenced to prison, receiving a sentence of just under a year.
The former reality TV star recently appeared at another court hearing and received a surprise ruling from the judge.
According to the U.S. Sun, Ryan Edwards appeared July 14 in front of Judge Gary Starnes in Hamilton County Sessions Court.
His appearance comes after he was sentenced in April to 11 months and 29 days in Silverdale Detention Center.
The newspaper reported Ryan Edwards looked anxious at his court appearance.
The U.S. Sun wrote that Ryan Edwards "looked terrified as he faced the judge for his charges of harassment and possession of a controlled substance from his February 10 arrest and driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance from his April 7 bust."
He wore an orange jumpsuit, and his hands were handcuffed and feet shackled.
Ryan Edwards appeared in court after his lawyers petitioned to have him sent to rehab instead of prison.
He was there to hear a ruling on whether his request to be transferred to a rehab facility was approved, the news outlet reported.
The judge reviewed Ryan Edwards' 200-page medical records and called it "disturbing." His history likely affected the judge's decision to approve the father's move to rehab in what the U.S. Sun calls a "shocking court ruling."
"We'll give you a furlough. It's time for you to go to the program," the judge said.
'You don't want to spend 2 to 3 years in custody if you can get treatment,' the judge said.
A representative from the rehab facility was in attendance and told the judge the facility would have a bed ready for him on July 18.
"We will be making some sort of treatment plan," the representative said. "He can go there and then go to OASIS, the halfway house. They live there. He would also get [medication to help with withdrawal symptoms]."
Ryan Edwards won't be able to leave rehab unsupervised until the program is completed.
The representative said the inpatient rehab is a 28-day program, and the former reality TV star won't be able to leave unsupervised. The judge warned that if Ryan Edwards were to leave without permission, the law would come down hard on him.
"It's your last chance to do this," the judge warned the former reality star, according to the U.S. Sun. "You need to do what you can. If you violate rehab, if you leave, you'll be charged with escape and you will get consecutive sentences."
Ryan Edwards has three children, who range in age from 14 to 3. He will return to court on Aug. 14.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter (domesticshelters.org).
