LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A settlement was reached Tuesday in a legal dispute involving former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, his ex-wife Glenna Bevin, and their adopted son Jonah Bevin. The settlement follows allegations of mistreatment and abandonment by Jonah, who sought an emergency protective order (EPO) against Matt Bevin. As part of the settlement, the EPO against Bevin was extended for six months.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Matt Bevin, who previously represented himself in court, arrived with attorney Zach Buckler and chose to remain silent throughout the proceedings. In contrast to last week’s testimony, where Bevin questioned his son directly, the hearing on Tuesday saw the case move toward resolution without further testimony from either party.
The EPO, which prohibits Matt Bevin from contacting Jonah, also mandates that Bevin turn over any documents he has related to Jonah’s birthmother and other family members. The request for these documents comes after Jonah’s testimony that he had been told for years that his birthmother was deceased, only to recently be informed that she may still be alive.
Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson, who oversaw the case, emphasized the importance of providing Jonah with access to his family history, stating that such information should not be withheld from him. “Sadly, that should not be required for this young man to learn about who his family is. That should be done regardless,” she remarked.
As part of the conditions outlined in the settlement, Bevin is also prohibited from contacting Jonah through social media or any third party and must not possess firearms while the protective order remains in effect. If Bevin complies with the terms of the EPO, it will be dismissed in six months and replaced by a civil restraining order. A violation of the EPO, however, could result in a misdemeanor charge with a potential penalty of up to one year in jail.
While the EPO remains in effect for Matt Bevin, the court dismissed the protective order against Glenna Bevin. Jonah had previously testified that his concerns were primarily directed toward his father, not his mother. However, Glenna Bevin will be subject to a civil restraining order, which is not as strict as an EPO but remains enforceable by the court. The restraining order will stay in place indefinitely.
In a statement following the court proceedings, Glenna Bevin expressed relief, saying, “This situation has been extremely difficult and painful for our entire family. I’m glad it is over and the case against me is dismissed. I love my children and want what is best for all of them.”
Jonah Bevin, now 18, spoke to the media after the hearing, expressing his satisfaction with the outcome. “Today went well. I got what I needed,” he said, adding that being questioned by his father in court had been an intimidating and stressful experience. Jonah further revealed that he no longer plans to live in Kentucky, seeking to distance himself from the traumatic experiences of his past.
Jonah’s testimony about his upbringing in the Bevin household stood in stark contrast to the public image that Matt Bevin cultivated during his time in office, particularly his promotion of adoption and advocacy for improving Kentucky’s adoption system. Jonah described his time in the Bevin household as marked by physical and emotional abuse, including being forced to sleep on the floor and being abandoned at a facility in Jamaica that he described as abusive. He also claimed to have been subjected to threats, including one involving his pet dog.
In his testimony, Jonah recounted a specific incident where his father allegedly told him, “We don’t want you in Kentucky,” after he expressed reluctance to travel to Ethiopia. This comment was made in the context of Bevin’s attempts to send Jonah abroad, despite the young man’s hesitations about the move.
The former governor, who often referred to himself in the third person during his testimony, denied Jonah’s claims and said that he had communicated with his son about the possibility of traveling to Ethiopia. Bevin stated that the initial belief was that Jonah’s birthmother was deceased, but recent information had suggested otherwise. Bevin also promised to provide text messages that he argued would show his side of the conversation.
Despite these claims, the hearing on Tuesday was brief, lasting less than eight minutes after the settlement was announced. Dawn J. Post, a New York lawyer and child advocate who assisted Jonah in his legal battle, expressed her relief for Jonah. “It’s been a long journey, and I’m so glad Jonah got to speak his truth,” she said, hinting at the possibility of further legal action against the Bevin family and the Atlantis Leadership Academy, the facility where Jonah claimed he suffered abuse.
Jonah has alleged that his time at the Atlantis Leadership Academy, a now-defunct institution for troubled teens, was marked by severe abuse, including physical beatings and psychological trauma. He has described the experience as “borderline torture,” recalling instances of waterboarding and violent treatment. Following the facility’s closure due to abuse allegations, Jonah was placed in child protective services in Jamaica, later becoming homeless in Utah.
Jonah has said that he seeks protection from his parents, and this legal settlement marks a significant step in his journey toward healing. While the settlement may offer some resolution for Jonah, it also brings attention to the broader issues of adoption, abuse, and the well-being of children in foster and adoptive homes.
The case continues to raise questions about the experiences of children who grow up in homes that may not align with the public personas their parents present, as well as the importance of ensuring that vulnerable youth are protected from harm.
