Teen Mom Amber Portwood charged with two felonies, faces up to three years in prison

The Anderson Police Department has charged Teen Mom Amber Portwood with two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of domestic violence and battery stemming from her multiple assaults on former fiance Gary Shirley, two of which were aired on the show.

Anderson Police obtained unedited footage of the episodes in question from MTV and based on the the video evidence have determined there were three separate attacks documented by the network, one of which was not aired. Two of the incidents, including the unaired dispute, occurred with the couple’s daughter, Leah, present in the room, which bumped up the misdemeanor battery charge to a felony count because a minor under 16 years of age was present.

Here is a description of the unaired scene from Anderson Police Detective Jake Brooks taken from the affidavit:

Amber and Gary were again involved in a verbal argument. During this, Amber went up to Gary and slapped him in the face. Amber then got into a fighter stance and punched Gary several more times in the facial area and the upper body. Initially Gary was sitting down, but got up and exited the room as the punches were thrown. Upon viewing the uncut footage, Leah is clearly sitting on the floor in the same room when the battery was occurring. *This incident was NOT shown on Mtv and was located after obtaining the subpoena.

According to TMZ Amber faces up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted on all three counts.

MTV issued this statement about the charges: “We are cooperating with all parties and hope for a quick and fair resolution that allows everyone involved to move forward in a positive manner.”

Here is a transcription of the affidavit detailing all three of Amber Portwood’s violent outbursts documented by MTV:

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In September of 2010, the Anderson Police Department initiated an investigation of domestic battery involving Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley. This investigation stemmed from their participation in a reality series on Mtv involving the shows 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom (I) and Teen Mom (II). This investigation began as a result of the airing of their domestic disputes on the show, numerous emails and phone calls to the police department and to the Department of Child Services.

During my investigation, I obtained a subpoena for “raw/uncut” versions of the episodes where domestic violence occurred between Portwood and Shirley. I obtained said video’s and viewed numerous episodes that were aired on television and some that were edited out and not shown. The following are synopsis of video’s I observed…

Ct I: On 8-14-09, on Teen Mom (I), Gary Shirley entered the apartment of Amber Portwood’s father. Present during this altercation were Gary, Amber, Amber’s father and Leah (under age of 1). During this incident, a heated verbal argument escalated between the adults. Amber Portwood was extremely upset and cussing excessively at Gary to apologize to her father for what she claimed to be disrespect. Leah was placed into a child seat and sat on a bed. Amber walked directly over to Gary and shoved him up against the wall. Amber told Gary to shut up, slapped him on the face, choked him (hands around neck) and pushed him two times. She then threatened to beat his ass if he did not apologize. All of these incidents took place in the same room with their young, infant daughter, Leah.
Battery, D/F (in presence of minor 16 yoa or younger)

[Ed – Here is the scene described above from Season One of Teen Mom]

Ct II: On 6-14-10, on Teen Mom (II), Gary entered the apartment of Amber Portwood. A verbal argument occurred with Amber being very much the aggressor towards Gary. The fight was about money and a cell phone. During the course of this fight, Amber was right up in the face of Gary numerous times. She slapped him approximately five (5) times, punched him with a closed fist approx (3) times and kicked him once. The kick was as he was walking down the stairs carrying a TV.
Battery, A/M

Ct III: On 7-18-10, on Teen Mom (II), Amber and Gary were again involved in a verbal argument. During this, Amber went up to Gary and slapped him in the face. Amber then got into a fighter stance and punched Gary several more times in the facial area and the upper body. Initially Gary was sitting down, but got up and exited the room as the punches were thrown. Upon viewing the uncut footage, Leah is clearly sitting on the floor in the same room when the battery was occurring. *This incident was NOT shown on Mtv and was located after obtaining the subpoena.
Battery D/F (in presence of a minor 16 yoa or younger)

On 10-20-10, Amber Portwood, under Miranda with Attorney Bob Schembs present implicated herself in all of the above incidents. She stated the incidents were out of anger and were not “staged” for the reality show. She claimed to not remember everything due to some medical issues in which she is under a Dr’s care for currently. Amber does implicate herself in punching, kicking and slapping Gary in various occasions throughout the Mtv series. She also stated that her young daughter was only present during one of the fights (Ct I).

[Ed – Another image from the Season One attack]

On 10-20-10, Gary Shirley gave a statement to me about the above incidents. He confirmed the incidents were not staged by Mtv and were real life, with anger. He stated Amber has punched, kicked and slapped him on occasions on the reality series. He also advised they have had numerous verbal altercations as well. He too confirmed their daughter Leah was present on the one of the shows (Ct I). He wasn’t sure if she was present on any of the other ones.

Additionally, I have obtained copies of the reunion shows of Teen Mom (I & II). During these episodes, Amber has implicated herself in these incidents.

Based upon the above and by watching the uncut, not edited footage from the Mtv series, I am now requesting a warrant for the following charges…

Ct I: Battery, D/F (in presence of a minor 16 yoa or younger)
Ct II: Battery, A/M
Ct III: Battery, D/F (in presence of a minor 16 yoa or younger)

All of the above occurred in Anderson, IN Madison County

(Detective Jake Brooks)