Gina Kirschenheiter, a beloved star of The Real Housewives of Orange County, recently opened up about the emotional toll of her boyfriend Travis Mullen’s ongoing custody battle with his ex-wife, Meghan Mullen. The 41-year-old reality star shared heartbreaking details about the strain the legal dispute has placed on their blended family, revealing that Travis, 40, has been separated from his three children—Presley (born 2011), Bennett (born 2014), and Joseph (born 2016)—for weeks at a time. The situation has left not only Travis devastated but also Gina and her own children, who have grown close to their step-siblings.
“It’s horrible and it’s unnecessary,” Gina told Us Weekly in a candid YouTube interview on September 4. “The kids were crying regularly. They miss their siblings. We’re really, truly a family. And then it’s like, somebody just decides that you’re not anymore, for an indefinite amount of time, until you have to go to the system.”
The custody dispute has taken a particularly painful turn recently. After Travis’ children briefly returned to their shared home, Meghan abruptly decided that the kids could not join a planned family vacation with Gina, Travis, and their blended family of six children. “I haven’t seen them in a couple weeks. It’s awful,” Gina shared, her frustration palpable. “It does affect us so greatly, and it is hurting the kids. I’m just at this place where I’m like, ‘It’s not fair,’ and I don’t feel like it’s completely wild or out of bounds to say, ‘What’s happening to me and my family is unfair.’”
Gina, who has embraced her role as a stepmother, expressed sorrow for her stepdaughter in particular, noting that the young girl is “very affected and sad” by the ongoing separation. The emotional weight of the situation has been compounded by the court’s latest mandate: both Travis and Meghan have been ordered to undergo psychological evaluations as part of a comprehensive child custody evaluation. According to court documents filed on August 28 and obtained by Us Weekly on September 8, the couple will work with a doctor in Newport Beach, California, who will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the best custody and visitation arrangement for the children.
The evaluation process will be extensive, involving interviews, psychological testing, home visits, and input from teachers, family members, and therapists. Travis and Meghan are expected to cooperate fully and split the costs of the evaluation. Once completed, the doctor will submit a detailed report to the court to guide its final decision. While Gina hopes this step will lead to a resolution that allows Travis more consistent time with his children, she remains uncertain about the outcome. “There’s more things that are happening now that hopefully will result in [Travis’ time away from his kids] happening less,” she said. “But ultimately, I don’t really know.”
Despite her desire to co-parent amicably with Meghan, Gina sees little hope for collaboration. “I’ve been given zero indication that that’s what his ex wants, so if she doesn’t want that, there’s nothing that we can do,” she explained. Still, Gina remains steadfast in her commitment to prioritizing the children’s well-being. “I am always going to do what is in the best interest of the children, so I will never be the problem,” she affirmed.
As the custody battle continues, Gina and Travis are navigating the challenges with resilience, determined to protect their family’s bond. “It will never make sense to me, but we operate around it as best we can,” Gina concluded, her words reflecting both heartache and hope for a brighter future for their blended family.