Former Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas has spoken out following her recent arrest.
“On behalf of our client, Deanna Pappas, we wish to address recent public speculation and clarify the current legal status of matters stemming from an incident involving her former spouse,” a statement shared via Pappas’ Instagram Stories early Thursday, April 3, reads. “After a full investigation and review of video evidence, the assigned detective determined that Ms. Pappas was not the aggressor. No criminal charges were filed.”
“In the best interest of the minor children, Ms. Pappas voluntarily withdrew a temporary restraining order in order to reach a cooperative agreement, allowing the children to be shielded from prolonged conflict and public exposure,” the statement continued. “Any continued attempt to distort facts or interfere with the children’s well-being will be met with the appropriate legal response. Ms. Pappas remains committed to protecting her children from further trauma and maintaining their right to privacy, as recognized by law.”
The statement concluded, “We respectfully request that the media refrain from further speculation and avoid the dissemination of narratives that may impact the emotional well-being of the children. This matter is proceeding appropriately through the legal system, and Ms. Pappas will not be making further comment at this time.”
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Pappas was arrested following an altercation with her ex-husband, Stephen Stagliano, in February. According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, the incident occurred on February 26, when Stagliano came to pick up the pair’s 11-year-old daughter Addison. (The exes are also parents to son Austin, 9.)
“Stephen told me I needed to walk closer to him because he wanted to smell my breath to make sure that I was not drunk. I had not consumed any alcohol. I ignored Stephen’s comment, and I walked back into the garage,” Pappas alleged in a declaration filed by Lynn Stagliano, who appears to be Stephen’s mother. “I heard [a] noise behind me. I turned around to see Stephen following me into my garage.”
Pappas continued: “Addison had been left alone sitting in his car with the engine running. I tried to shut my garage door. Stephen pushed my garage door upward so that it would not close. I shouted at Stephen to get out of my garage. Stephen refused to leave.”
The former ABC personality allegedly went inside and locked her door. However, Pappas allegedly walked back out after hearing noises from her garage. She claimed that Stephen was stealing items out of the garage and went to confront him.
“Stephen took his hands, grabbing me, and then forcefully shoved me. He pushed my back again,” she said, claiming that Stephen called the authorities. “In fear that he would hurt me, I immediately went back inside the house and locked the door while I waited for the police to arrive.”
When the police arrived, they told Pappas that Stephen accused her of being drunk, and was pressing charges against her for domestic violence. (According to the filing, Lynn had visited Pappas’ home earlier in the day to pick up Austin and claimed to smell alcohol on her breath.)
“Stephen had told the Sheriff that I was the aggressor who assaulted him, which was false,” she claimed. “At no time was I requested to test for alcohol despite Stephen’s allegations. In fact, the officer that arrested me exhibited no concern that I was at all intoxicated.”
Pappas was arrested on a misdemeanor charge on February 27. She was released the same day on $20,000 bond. Pappas claimed that she voluntarily submitted to drug testing — and allegedly tested negative — following her release. In the legal paperwork, Pappas denied the allegations made by Stepehn that she has a drinking problem.
“The basis of [Stephen’s] is based on his fabrication that I am an alcoholic,” she claimed. “This is wholly false and fabricated as way for [Stephen] to gain leverage in his attempt to alienate the children from me.”
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Following the incident, Pappas filed a restraining order against Stephen on March 7, per In Touch. A hearing date has been set for later this month.
Bachelor Nation was first introduced to Pappas during Brad Womack’s season of The Bachelor in 2007. Pappas went on to star on season 4 of The Bachelorette in 2008. She gave her final rose to Jesse Csincsak and the pair got engaged. However, they went their separate ways less than a year later.
Pappas later met Stephen through his brother, Michael Stagliano, who was on season 5 of The Bachelorette. Pappas and Stephen tied the knot in October 2011. In January 2023, they called it quits after 12 years of marriage.
