Carol Burnett Seeking Legal Guardianship of Grandson amid Daughter’s Substance Abuse Issues

Legendary comedian, Carol Burnett and her third husband, Brian Miller have reportedly filed legal documents to become temporary legal guardians of her teenage grandson Dylan Joseph Hamilton. The 87-year-old actress did so because her youngest daughter Erin Hamilton ‘recently threatened to take her own life and has been in and out of rehab eight times.’

Singer Erin Hamilton, is the daughter of actress Carol Burnett and late TV producer Joe Hamilton. She is the youngest of her mother’s 3 children, and the youngest of her father’s 11 children. Hamilton has two sons, Zach (23) and Dylan (14).

“We look forward to recovery being the next stepping stone towards normalization”

“Due to addiction issues and other circumstances that my daughter, Erin, has been struggling with impacting her immediate family dynamic. My husband and I have petitioned the court to be appointed legal guardian of my 14-year-old grandson,” Burnett said in a statement.

“Guardianship will be for oversight purposes concerning his health, education and welfare and not intended to deny him nor the parents proper visitation with one another. We look forward to recovery being the next stepping stone towards normalization and ask for privacy at this time to allow that process to occur,” Burnett says.

Burnett filed court documents asking that she and her husband Brian Miller be appointed temporary guardians. The iconic actress explained in the filing that she wants to provide Dylan with temporary care, maintenance and support, as well as handle her grandson’s affairs.

Suicidality and Drug Use

“Throughout her adult life, and since Dylan’s birth, Erin has suffered from severe substance abuse and addiction issues,” Burnett stated in the filing. “In the past 19 years, Erin has been in and out of rehabilitation centers and has been institutionalized a total of eight times for a minimum of 30 days each time.” The 52-year-old singer, who was crowned Miss Golden Globe 1993, was released from Chino Hills Hospital on July 24.

Burnett also shared in the filing that her daughter attempted suicide in July. At the time, Burnett called LAPD to complete a wellness check on her and Hamilton. Who was placed on a 51/50 hold for “suicidality and drug use,” according to the court documents.

“Dylan’s living environment has long been unstable, unpredictable and unhealthy for a child”

Dylan’s father, Kurt West, is also reportedly unable to care for Dylan. As he recently checked himself into a rehabilitation center, Burnett explained in the filing. “Dylan’s living environment has long been unstable, unpredictable and unhealthy for a child. This culminated in a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigation and juvenile dependency proceedings in 2018 and 2019,” the filing reads. 

Carol recalls her late daughter, Carrie Hamilton

Carol herself had parents Joseph and Ina, who were both alcoholics. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Mabel ‘Mae’ Jones. Burnett has two daughters, Carrie and Jody, from her 21-year marriage to the late producer Joe Hamilton. Which ended in 1984.

Sadly, Carrie died at the age of 38 due to pneumonia as a complication of lung and brain cancer in 2002. Burnett’s filing comes after she recently opened up about how her late daughter Carrie lived her life to the fullest. Right before her death 18 years ago.

“You have to love them enough to let them hate you”

Burnett looked back on how Carrie overcame drug addiction and learned the value of her life. “My daughter Carrie got into drugs. In that situation, don’t be their best friend,” Burnett said. “When we got her into a third rehab, oh, she hated my guts! You have to love them enough to let them hate you.”

Carrie, who died in January 2002, “got sober before her 18th birthday, and we had a good 20 years,” Burnett said. “We were joined at the hip for a while there,” the actress continued. “Carrie died of cancer at 38. But in the hospital, she said, ‘Every day I wake up and decide today I’m going to love my life.’ And that was her mantra.”

Carol will next be seen playing pessimistic retirement home resident Joan in Brett Haley’s teen drama, “All Together Now.” Starring Auli’i Cravalho, which premieres August 28 on Netflix.