Aaron Carter’s on-off fiancée Melanie Martin has regained full custody of their baby son Prince, one month after the singer’s tragic death aged 34.
Prince, who was born in November 2021, was placed in the care of Melanie’s mother when he was a few months old, with Carter getting supervised visitation rights.
TMZ reports that Martin, 35, was found fit to care for her child at a hearing held on Thursday in Los Angeles, and she was awarded full custody.
Martin is currently in New York with Carter’s friend, rapper Checkthestar, but was informed by her legal team. She is now on her way back to California to collect her son.
Custody battle: Aaron Carter’s on-off fiancee Melanie Martin has regained custody of their baby son Prince, one month after the singer’s tragic death aged 34 (pictured January)
Melanie told the publication: ‘I’m honoring Aaron today and I know he would be so proud of me. I’m very emotional thinking we could have been a family, but Aaron would be so happy knowing I got him back.’
Aaron’s mom Jane Schneck agreed with the decision and added: ‘The child should be with the mother.’
Prince was removed from the care of Aaron and Melanie over alleged concerns about drug use and domestic violence during the pair’s on-off romance.
This turned into a protracted custody battle with the couple frequently rekindling and ending their romance.
Earlier this year, Carter filed for custody of their son and a petition for protection against Martin at the Antelope Valley Courthouse in Los Angeles County.
First-time father: Prince, who was born in November 2021, was placed in the care of Melanie’s mother when he was a few months old, with Carter getting supervised visitation rights
RIP: I Want Candy singer Aaron was found dead in his bathtub at his Lancaster, California home on November 5 – with his manner of death still unconfirmed, pending toxicology results (pictured in his last interview)
In a court filing, he accused his ex of ’emotional distress, anguish, shoving, & scratching’, and claimed she used the threat of suicide to abuse him ’emotionally.’
I Want Candy singer Aaron was found dead in his bathtub at his Lancaster, California home on November 5 – with his manner of death still unconfirmed, pending toxicology results.
This comes amid claims Carter’s family is reportedly trying to heal a rift after his mom blamed the singer’s fiancée for his death.
In a series of now-deleted tweets from November 28, Schneck accused his partner Martin of nagging her late son for money and profiting over his death. She started the messages: ‘My Baby boy is dead,’ before adding: ‘I’ve been warning him for two years now. He almost came home.’
But now Jane is trying to make nice with Melanie, it has been claimed.
Aaron started dating Melanie in 2020 and got engaged in June of the same year, before having their son, Prince, in November 2021.
They were living apart when the singer was found dead. His mom Jane is said to have never met his son.
The couple: Aaron and Melanie got engaged in 2020 after less than a year of dating – before splitting and reconciling a number of times. Seen in February
Fatherhood: Carter said he wanted to focus on regaining custody of his one year-old son Prince before entering rehab before his death
According to TMZ, Melanie has said she and Jane had a ‘fairly good relationship’ before Aaron died and didn’t hold her tweets against her. She also reportedly said an assistant for Aaron’s twin sister, Angel, reached out to apologize for Jane’s messages and said they had been removed.
Aaron’s family will hold a private memorial service for the singer in 2023, when they will reportedly spread his ashes. Melanie said she has been invited to the ceremony and still wants Jane to meet Aaron’s son Prince after Christmas.
TMZ also reported Jane does not want a war with Melanie and wants what’s best for her grandson. It comes after Aaron’s family said they want his son to inherit his estate.
The late singer’s mom told TMZ even though she has yet to meet her 12-month-old grandson, Prince. She wants him to be the beneficiary of his dad’s assets as the family ‘doesn’t need the money.’
Jane added she wants to have a relationship with her grandson and Aaron’s on-off fiancée, Melanie, who currently has custody of the child.
Tribute: Aaron was the younger brother of Backstreet Boy star Nick Carter, 42, who he was estranged from at the time of his death
After Aaron was found dead, his mum is said to have asked Aaron’s twin Angel to file a petition to serve as administrator of his estate, which is thought to be worth $500,000.
Melanie told Us Weekly about the financial arrangements: ‘I don’t want any problems or stress over Aaron’s estate. I just want Prince to be taken care of and want Aaron’s legacy to live on… whoever wants to be in Prince’s life can be in Prince’s life.’
Aaron’s cause of death is yet to be determined, pending toxicology results.
But the singer, who battled addictions and mental health issues for years, was reportedly found with pills and cans of compressed air near his body.
His Backstreet Boys singer brother Nick Carter, 42, who is facing sexual assault allegations from four women, has said it was ‘tough’ to perform on stage the day after Aaron was found dead.
Concern: Aaron publicly battled mental health conditions and drug addiction during his lifetime