Sherri Shepherd's first husband, Jeffrey Tarpley, is reportedly making claims that the TV personality is a terrible mom and neglects their 9-year-old special needs son, Jeffrey Jr. According to TMZ, Tarpley filed an emergency request in April to change their current custody arrangements.
Reportedly he wants full custody of the young boy. TMZ reports that Tarpley said that Jeffrey Jr. can barely write, reads at a second-grade level and can't tie his shoes. Tarpley believes Shepherd's hectic, non-stop work schedule is to blame for her neglecting their son.
According to the gossip site, Shepherd's ex said that she leaves the boy with "unskilled nannies" and as a result he's falling behind in school, has low self-esteem and has to wear Velcro shoes because he hasn't learned how to tie his own shoes.
Tarpley also said that "The View" co-host hasn't taught Jeffrey Jr. proper hygiene and it's starting to become an issue, TMZ reports.
"Jeffrey says he desperately wants to help, but his hands are tied because he lives in California and Sherri lives with their son in Jersey," TMZ writes. "He says he has no time during his short visits to undo all of Sherri's bad parenting... so he wants Jeffrey Jr. with him full time."
Shepherd filed a response to Tarpley's emergency request and said that he is an "absentee dad" and should not be a part of their child's life. According to TMZ, a judge denied Tarpley's request but did set a hearing for July.
This news comes after Shepherd's current husband filed for legal separation and asked for full custody of their unborn child. Shepherd and Lamar Sally hired a surrogate to carry their child. The expected due date for the baby is July 28.
In the paperwork, Sally said he only wants Shepherd to have visitation rights. He's also asking for spousal support and wants their prenuptial agreement to be invalidated based on fraud, according to reports.
