Leah Shirley, the daughter of original Teen Mom OG cast members Gary Shirley and Amber Portwood, spent much of her childhood under the public eye. As Amber battled highly publicized personal struggles, legal troubles, and extended absences, Gary’s wife, Kristina, stepped into the picture.

Kristina didn’t just fill a gap; she entirely re-anchored Leah’s world. While Amber’s presence fluctuated wildly, Kristina provided the quiet, stable bedrock of a regular childhood: driving carpools, celebrating birthdays, helping with homework, and simply being there on the regular days.

“Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own.”

This sentiment has echoed throughout their journey on the show. For Leah, who grew up facing intense public scrutiny and maternal abandonment, Kristina became the person she naturally looked to as her primary maternal figure

Getting adopted?

The adoption plans met an absolute standstill from Amber Portwood.

Sources close to the production confirmed that having Kristina adopt Leah would “never happen on Amber’s watch,” with Amber asserting she has no intention of handing off her parental rights.