Amy Slaton’s recent safari park outing took a wild turn, landing the reality TV star in hot water and raising eyebrows over what really happened that day.
The star of TLC’s hit reality show “1000-Lb Sisters,” was arrested on Labor Day after a bizarre incident at the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee, led to a drug bust. Authorities were initially called to the park following reports that a camel had bitten Slaton.
Deputies from the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department responded on Monday, September 2, to the call about a guest being bitten by a camel.
Upon arrival, officers detected suspicious odors coming from Slaton’s vehicle, where she was sitting with Brian Scott Lovvorn and two children. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered two ounces of marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms, classified as a Schedule I substance.
Both Slaton and Lovvorn were arrested and charged with possession of Schedule I and Schedule VI substances and two counts of child endangerment. The children, both under 10, were present during the incident and have been placed with a family member as the Department of Human Services conducts an investigation.
The co-owner of the Tennessee Safari Park, Claude Conley, expressed skepticism about Slaton’s claim of being bitten by a camel. “We looked at the bite, and it didn’t look like a camel bite to me,” Conley stated. “It was just on the top of the arm, and if a camel bit, it would kind of bite down on there. We don’t think the customers were in their right mind at that time.”
Camels at the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee, as seen in a video dated September 4, 2024 | Source: Facebook/WMCActionNews5
After the alleged camel bite, Slaton was seen walking through the parking lot with a bandage — a shirt wrapped around her arm — before being assisted by EMS workers and placed on a stretcher. TMZ obtained photos showing Slaton being taken away on a gurney, appearing in pain with a makeshift tourniquet around her arm.
Jon Conley, another co-owner of the park, also disputed Slaton’s account, noting that the cut on her arm looked inconsistent with a typical camel bite and that no surveillance footage supported her claim. He further mentioned that thousands of visitors frequent the park each year without any incidents of camel bites being reported.
Amy Slaton and Brian Scott Lovvorn, as seen in a video dated September 4, 2024 | Source: Facebook/WMCActionNews5
After receiving medical attention, Slaton was transported to jail, where she was booked and photographed. The drugs were reportedly found in plain sight inside her vehicle, leading to immediate charges against both Slaton and Lovvorn.
Amy Slaton and Brian Scott Lovvorn, as seen in a video dated September 4, 2024 | Source: Facebook/WMCActionNews5
With two young children present during the incident, authorities quickly moved to ensure their safety. The children, later identified as Slaton’s two sons, Gage Deon, 4, and Glenn Allen, 2, have been placed in the care of relatives while the Tennessee Department of Child Services investigates the family’s situation.
Michael Halterman, Amy Slaton and their two sons, Gage Deon and Glenn Allen pictured with Santa Claus, dated December 26, 2022 | Source: Instagram/amyslaton_halterman
Slaton shares custody of her sons with her ex-husband, Michael Halterman, who filed for divorce in March 2023. The Sheriff’s department confirmed that no other injuries were reported at the park that day.
Slaton has previously spoken about her devotion to her children during a 2023 episode of “1000-Lb Sisters,” saying, “My heart is full.”
The 36-year-old reality TV had always dreamed of being a mother since she was a kid. She mentioned, “Being a mom is what I’ve wanted to do since I was 5 years old and I’ve always wanted two kids. Our family is finally complete. We can put us in a frame and hang us on the wall now.”
Amy Slaton’s oldest son, Gage Deon, holds his baby brother, Glenn Allen, as seen in a photo dated July 8, 2022 | Source: Instagram/amyslaton_halterman
However, she also opened up about the emotional toll of her divorce, describing it as the worst her mental health had ever been. “And it wasn’t just affecting me, it was affecting Gage and Glenn. So it was just rough,” Slaton shared.
The Crockett County Sheriff’s Department stated that both Slaton and Lovvorn were initially held in custody before a judge set their bond at $10,000 each on Tuesday, September 3.
Amy Slaton and Brian Scott Lovvorn, as seen in a video dated September 4, 2024 | Source: Facebook/WMCActionNews5
They were released that afternoon after posting bail and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, September 5. Following her release, Slaton told the reporters, “I just got bit. That’s all I know,” and expressed gratitude towards her fans, saying, “Thank you, and I’m sorry for everything.”
The Sheriff’s Department emphasized that these are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
As Amy Slaton navigates this legal battle after being released on bail, questions linger about the safari park incident and the troubling charges she faces. The reality star, who once captivated audiences with her personal struggles and triumphs, now finds herself at the center of a very different kind of public scrutiny.
