Bachelorette alum Deanna Pappas revealed she’s been sober for over two months in an emotional plea as she fights her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano, over visitation with their kids amid their custody battle in court, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
According to a motion filed by Pappas last week, she admitted to violating an agreement she reached with Stagliano, which required them not to drink around the kids. She said the violation occurred on April 3.
Pappas said that she has been fully compliant with all requirements, which include Soberlink testing, for the last 62 days.
In a declaration, the former reality star wrote, “My request is urgent.”
“Since my recovery began, Stephen has denied me regular access to the children,” Pappas said. “Although he acknowledged I was testing clean and participating in recovery, he unilaterally withdrew parenting time after my April 3, 2025, missed test without any basis to continue doing so,” she said.
“He has made inconsistent offers agreeing to visits and then canceling at the last minute,” she said.
“Stephen’s repeated reversals show a clear pattern of gatekeeping that harms the children and interferes with our bond,” she added.
On Monday, June 9, Stagliano filed a declaration, obtained by Us, that stated while he supports Pappas and her “early recovery efforts,” her negative Soberlink tests from the past few months “did not yet reflect sustained sobriety, particularly given the long-standing history of alcohol misuse since 2019.”
Pappas, 43, previously vehemently denied she had any issues with alcohol.
In his filing, Stagliano said, “I have emphasized the importance of safety and trust, especially given [Pappas’] initial denial of drinking on April 3, 2025, and her refusal to use SoberLink that day.”
“Despite these concerns, I permitted visitation on June 1, 2025,” he said. Stagliano, 41, added Pappas “never acknowledged her alcohol use until her ex parte filing nearly two months later — and even then, she attributed it to medical issues rather than acknowledging direct consumption.”
A judge has yet to rule.
As Us previously reported, Pappas was arrested on February 27 after an incident with Stagliano at her home during a custody pickup.
She claimed he demanded she come close to him so he could smell her breath, to determine if she had been drinking.
Police took Pappas into custody. She was released hours later after posting bond. In court, Pappas said she took a voluntary drug and alcohol test after being released, which came back negative.
Pappas filed for a restraining order against her ex-husband but dropped it weeks later. No charges were filed against her over the incident at her home.
Pappas and Stagliano wed in October 2011 and split in January 2023. They share two minor children, Addison and Austin. The exes hashed out a divorce deal in June 2023, where they agreed to share joint legal and physical custody of the children.
The deal included a provision that said neither party was allowed to get intoxicated while taking care of the kids.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and/or substance use, you are not alone. Seek immediate intervention — call 911 for medical attention; 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; or 1-800-662-HELP for the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline. Carrying naloxone (Narcan) can help reverse an opioid overdose.
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