The Custody Battle After The Hoax: Did Sherri Papini Get Her Kids Back?

As of today, December 12, 2025, the answer to whether Sherri Papini has regained custody of her children is a definitive no. The shocking conclusion to her infamous 2016 kidnapping hoax led to significant legal consequences, most notably the dissolution of her marriage and a dramatic shift in the custody arrangement for her two children. Her ex-husband, Keith Papini, was awarded full legal and physical custody, a ruling that has been upheld in family court following her release from prison. The legal saga, however, is not entirely over. While the divorce was finalized and custody was granted to Keith, Sherri Papini has actively sought to modify the existing order, pushing for increased visitation and reunification with her son and daughter. This ongoing legal battle represents the final, painful chapter of the Papini family's public tragedy, with the children's best interests—and the mother's history—at the center of the court's consideration.

Sherri Papini: A Brief Biography and Timeline

Sherri Louise Graeff-Papini is an American woman who gained international notoriety for fabricating her own kidnapping in 2016. Her case became a national obsession, leading to a massive search effort before the truth was revealed years later.

• Full Name: Sherri Louise Graeff-Papini
• Date of Birth: June 11, 1982
• Place of Birth: Shasta County, California, USA
• Spouse: Keith Papini (Married 2009; Divorced May 2023)
• Children: Tyler Papini and Violet Papini
• Key Events Timeline:
  • November 2, 2016: Sherri Papini disappears while jogging near her home in Redding, California, claiming to have been abducted.
  • November 24, 2016: She reappears on Interstate 5 in Yolo County, claiming two Hispanic women kidnapped her and tortured her for 22 days.
  • March 2022: Federal agents arrest Sherri Papini, revealing the "kidnapping" was a hoax. She admitted to staying with an ex-boyfriend during the time she was "missing."
  • April 2022: Keith Papini files for divorce and requests full custody of their children.
  • September 2022: Papini is sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to mail fraud and lying to a federal officer.
  • May 2023: The divorce from Keith Papini is finalized. Keith is granted full legal and physical custody of their children.
  • October 2023: Sherri Papini is released from federal custody.
  • Late 2024/Early 2025: The child custody case reopens, with Papini seeking increased visitation and reunification.

The Definitive Custody Ruling: Keith Papini Granted Full Custody

The question of "Did Sherri Papini get custody of her kids?" has a clear answer rooted in the 2023 divorce decree. The family court ruled firmly in favor of her ex-husband, Keith Papini.

Sole Custody Granted to Keith

Following Sherri's guilty plea and subsequent sentencing for the elaborate hoax, Keith Papini filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The court ultimately granted Keith sole legal and physical custody of their son, Tyler, and daughter, Violet. This decision was heavily influenced by the nature of Sherri's crime—lying to federal agents and defrauding the state—and the psychological impact the entire ordeal had on the children and the family. The court's primary focus in any custody case is the best interest of the children. Given Sherri Papini’s history of deception, which included putting the family through a traumatic, fabricated event and subsequent criminal conviction, the court determined that a stable environment with their father was paramount.

Limited and Supervised Visitation Rights

Sherri Papini does not have any form of joint or shared custody. Her contact with the children is extremely limited and strictly controlled. The court order allows Sherri monthly one-hour supervised visits with her children. This type of visitation is typically reserved for cases where a parent’s behavior or history poses a potential risk, requiring a third party to be present at all times. This arrangement underscores the court's caution regarding Papini's influence and stability following her criminal actions and time in prison.

The Ongoing Legal Battle: Papini Seeks Reunification and Increased Access

Despite the definitive 2023 ruling, the legal fight for parental rights is not over. Sherri Papini has initiated court proceedings to modify the custody and visitation order, arguing for a path to reunification and increased access to her children.

Seeking Modification: The Latest Development

In a crucial, recent development, Sherri Papini has gone back to family court. She is reportedly seeking:

1. Reunification with one of her children.
2. Increased visitation rights with the other child.

This legal effort suggests that Papini is attempting to demonstrate a change in circumstances and rehabilitation since her release from prison. The court must now weigh her efforts against the initial findings that led to Keith being granted full custody. This is a complex process that involves family court services, psychological evaluations, and testimony from all involved parties, including the children if they are deemed old enough.

Custody Trial Put On Hold

The most current information indicates that the child custody trial between Sherri and Keith Papini was put on hold, with no future dates immediately set. This pause is often implemented in family law to allow for further investigation, mediation, or to protect the children from prolonged, stressful court proceedings. The court is proceeding with extreme caution to ensure the best interests of Tyler and Violet remain the priority. The entire process is a high-stakes, emotionally charged trial that is being closely monitored by legal and true crime observers.

Impact on the Children and Broader Implications

The Papini children, Tyler and Violet, have been through an unimaginable ordeal, starting with their mother's disappearance, the relief of her return, and the eventual, devastating revelation that the whole event was a lie orchestrated by their mother.

Focus on the Children's Well-being

The court's continued caution is a direct reflection of the need to protect the children from further trauma. The judicial system must consider the long-term psychological effects of their mother's actions, her criminal conviction, and her subsequent efforts to re-enter their lives. The children’s preferences and emotional readiness for increased contact with their mother are major factors in the ongoing legal proceedings.

Topical Authority Entities:

• Shasta County Superior Court (Family Law)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• US Attorney's Office (Eastern District of California)
• Victim Compensation Fund
• Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud Statutes
• Psychological Evaluation in Custody Cases
• Supervised Visitation Centers
• Keith Papini's Legal Counsel
• Sherri Papini's Legal Counsel
• The Papini Family Hoax (2016)
• Child Custody Modification Law
• Reunification Therapy
• Sentencing Guidelines
• Federal Prison System
• Siskiyou County (where she was found)
• Shasta County Sheriff's Office

In summary, Sherri Papini did not get custody of her children. The court awarded full custody to Keith Papini, and Sherri's current contact is limited to supervised, monthly visits. While she is fighting to change this arrangement, the latest reports confirm that the custody trial has been paused, leaving the current, restrictive order in place as the legal system continues to prioritize the well-being of the two children.