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In a dramatic courtroom scene on Friday, former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin took the unusual step of representing himself in a Jefferson Family Court hearing. There, he directly questioned his adopted son, Jonah Bevin, who is seeking a protective order against his parents based on allegations of abuse and abandonment.
Jonah Bevin, now 18 years old, was adopted from Ethiopia in 2012. He filed for an emergency protective order earlier this month, presenting allegations of mistreatment he claims he suffered during his upbringing. During his testimony, Jonah recounted his experience, reflecting on the difficulties he faced while living with the Bevins.
The allegations surfaced in the wake of Jonah’s request for long-term protective orders against his adoptive parents, following troubling experiences he claimed to have endured, including an alleged abandonment last year at a facility in Jamaica intended for ‘troubled teens.’
Matt and Glenna Bevin, who finalized their divorce earlier this week, remained silent after the hearing concluded. The judge, Angela Johnson, did not provide an immediate ruling, and the case is slated to continue on Tuesday afternoon, where more witness testimonies are anticipated.
Glenna Bevin is currently represented by prominent Louisville attorney Steve Romines, who focused his questioning on Jonah’s experiences with his adoptive mother for nearly half an hour. Meanwhile, Jonah was present with his local counsel, John Helmers. Child advocacy attorney Dawn J. Post was also in attendance, although she did not participate in the proceedings.
During the interrogation, Matt Bevin alternated between first and third person, probing Jonah on allegations that he was mistreated and ultimately abandoned in Jamaica, an assertion Jonah affirmed. Notably, as tensions mounted, the judge had to remind Matt Bevin to maintain appropriate focus instead of directing his attention toward Jonah.
Romines’s examination led to a pivotal moment when he asked Jonah if Glenna had ever threatened or harmed him, to which Jonah responded negatively. However, previous filings indicate troubling stories, including an instance where Jonah claimed Glenna physically struck him during his childhood.
In the courtroom, Jonah recounted a conversation he had with Matt Bevin regarding a proposed trip to meet his biological mother, whom he had been told for years was deceased. Jonah described feeling pressured into agreeing to the trip but ultimately backed out, citing concerns about the reliability of the information provided to him.
The former governor countered that the decision was Jonah’s alone and insisted that they had previously discussed the potential to travel to Ethiopia. According to Jonah, after he declined to go, Matt made comments suggesting that he had forfeited a crucial chance to reconnect with his mother.
Background of the Jonah Bevin Case
As the case unfolds, more details about Jonah Bevin’s experiences continue to emerge. Notably, Jonah filed an emergency protective order earlier this month, which requires Matt Bevin to refrain from direct contact with him while temporarily surrendering his firearms to law enforcement.
Jonah’s challenging narrative began to gain public attention last summer, particularly following reports about his time at the “Atlantis Leadership Academy” in Jamaica—a controversial institution linked to claims of abuse. During this time, his adoptive parents were notably absent from hearings centered on his safe return to the United States.
In an interview earlier with a local news outlet, Jonah revealed that he has been enrolled in various similar treatment programs since the age of 13, following escalating familial tensions. His disclosure included an incident that led to a juvenile arrest in connection to a confrontation with Matt Bevin just before being sent away.
Child advocacy attorney Post has indicated a belief that Jonah’s adoptive parents might face criminal charges for abandonment, describing the filing of the emergency protective order as a necessary measure to prevent further harm.
The Bevins adopted Jonah, along with three other Ethiopian children, in 2012. Matt Bevin’s public stance on foster care issues during his political career frequently intersected with their family narrative, raising questions about the motivations behind the adoption. Jonah has voiced concerns about being adopted primarily for the family’s public image rather than for genuine parental intentions.
As the case evolves, the former governor and his ex-wife have refrained from publicly commenting on the allegations presented against them. To date, no criminal charges have been filed concerning the claims made by Jonah.
This story may be updated.
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