Unexpected star Hunter Johnson was just thirteen when he became a father to his son with Bella Vaughn. Viewers were appalled by this and could not believe that TLC would exploit children in such a way. On the show, his father was perceived as being a deadbeat who often abandoned Hunter. Yet, according to Casey Johnson, that could not be further from the truth. Keep reading for more on what Hunter’s father has had to say regarding his relationship with his son.
Hunter Johnson’s Father Clears His Name
Unexpected fans are not happy with the network or with Bella Vaughn’s parents for enabling her relationship with Hunter Johnson. She was just fourteen, and he was only twelve when they found out that they were pregnant. At fifteen and thirteen, the couple welcomed their son, Wes, via C-section, but Bella made it clear that she didn’t want to go on birth control. Just four days postpartum, the two were intimate and already facing another pregnancy scare. However, the blame was being placed on the parents, and it appeared that Hunter’s father was a deadbeat.
It looked like his father, Casey Johnson, was absent, was not around, and when he was supposed to meet up with Hunter, he would ditch him. Yet, that is not the case and never was. He has since filed for custody of Hunter and his grandson, Wes. Per his filing, Casey claimed that he and Stacie were able to co-parent quite well after they split in 2013. Four years later, Stacie allegedly entered a rehab facility, so Hunter went to live with his father full-time. That same year, Casey remarried Brettney, and in 2018, Stacie went back to sharing custody with her ex.
In 2021, Stacie supposedly began to struggle. Therefore, she was “unable to maintain stable housing or provide adequate structure,” so Hunter and Stacie move in with Casey and Brettney. The following year, Stacie got her own place, but subsequently was evicted because of “issues related to drug use.” The Unexpected star ended up living with Casey and remained there from fifth grade until seventh grade.
Going Downhill
Arkansas-based Hunter Johnson excelled in school and in sports, which was noted on Unexpected. However, when he was with his mother, he was unsupervised with his phone and social media. Moreover, he was in romantic relationships above his age range and abandoned all that Casey tried to enforce. In 2024, Stacie took Hunter away from his father, and since they never had a legal agreement, this could be done. That same year, Hunter and Bella found out that they were expecting Wes, and signed on for Unexpected. Casey Johnson did not want to appear on the series and did not want his son on there, either.
At this point, Casey has asked for an emergency hearing. He has asked for a urine test regarding Stacie and wants custody of Wes, as well. She has stated that he was “abusive,” and alleged that Casey has not “established a meaningful relationship with” his son.
Do you believe what Casey Johnson has said, and should he have custody of Hunter? Let us know your thoughts, and watch Unexpected Mondays on TLC.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
