Oh boy, reality TV drama just spilled over into real life—big time. Former “Bachelorette” star DeAnna Pappas, once known for searching for love on national television, is now making headlines for something entirely different: an arrest, allegations of battery, and a restraining order against her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano. And folks, this situation is a messy one.
Let’s start with what went down. Pappas was arrested on February 27 in Santa Clarita, California, on misdemeanor battery charges. She was released the same day on a $20,000 bond. The incident reportedly involved allegations of alcohol consumption, though Pappas strongly denies any wrongdoing. Her court date? Mark your calendars—it’s set for March 20.
But wait, there’s more. Just days later, on March 7, Pappas filed a restraining order against Stagliano, mandating that he stay at least 100 yards away from her. The details behind this filing paint a tense picture.
According to court documents, things escalated when Stagliano arrived to pick up their 11-year-old daughter, Addison. Pappas alleges that he physically shoved her multiple times and insisted on sniffing her breath to check for alcohol—a claim she flat-out denies.
Security camera footage? Police reports? Breathalyzer tests? None of that seemed to play a role in the immediate aftermath. Instead, Stagliano called the police, claiming “she” was intoxicated and had assaulted “him”.
The result? Pappas ended up in handcuffs, booked on battery charges. But here’s where things take a turn—once she was released, Pappas voluntarily underwent alcohol and drug testing and reportedly came back clean.
And if that’s not enough drama, there’s a family feud brewing in the background. Stagliano’s mother, Lynn, entered the fray, claiming that she smelled alcohol on Pappas’ breath the morning before the arrest.
Pappas, however, alleges that Stagliano has been coaching their daughter to spy on her and report any signs of alcohol in the house. That’s a serious accusation—one that suggests this custody battle is only getting started.
For those keeping score, the couple, who tied the knot in 2011, announced their separation in June 2023 and finalized their divorce in June 2024. As part of their agreement, neither parent is supposed to consume alcohol in excess while caring for their children. With both sides now making accusations, it’s clear that tensions haven’t settled—and with a court hearing on the horizon, this story is far from over.
So what’s next for Pappas? Will this case hold up in court? Will the reality star clear her name, or is this just the beginning of an even bigger legal battle? Stay tuned, because this saga is playing out in real-time, and it’s not lacking in twists and turns.
