Kirsten Storms Faces Emergency Restraining Order Granted to Ex Brandon Barash Amid Mental Health Concerns
An emergency restraining order was granted in December 2025 by a judge after actor Brandon Barash filed against ex-wife Kirsten Storms amid concerns about her reported mental-health crisis, alleged delusions, housing instability and potential risks to their 12-year-old daughter.
- Emergency order granted: Brandon Barash sought — and a judge granted — an emergency restraining order in December 2025, as reported by TMZ and Fox News Digital.
- Allegations of mental-health crises: Filings cite concerns including alleged delusions, hallucinations and erratic behavior that Barash says could affect the safety of their daughter (reports via US Magazine and Soap Opera Digest).
- Supervised visitation: The court has allowed Storms supervised visitation while a judge reviews the emergency order this week (reported by SoapHub and TV Insider).
- Additional claims: Filings allege a psychiatric hold in May 2025, housing instability and possible substance misuse (reported by Fox News Digital and TMZ).
What the court documents allege
Court filings obtained by multiple outlets — and cited in reporting by TMZ, Fox News Digital, People and others — lay out multiple incidents that Brandon Barash says prompted the emergency request. The filings themselves have not been released publicly in full.
Mental health incidents
Allegations: Barash’s filings say Storms reported experiencing delusions and hallucinations in May 2025 and told him she felt she “didn’t think she should have the child for her parenting time.” He alleges that his current wife, Isabella Devoto, assisted in taking Storms to a hospital where she was placed on a psychiatric hold. Barash contends Storms did not acknowledge the hospitalization after release (see reporting via Fox News Digital and TMZ).
Reports from friends
The filings quote a friend who allegedly described repeated episodes of “melting down,” being triggered and hearing voices. That friend is also reported to have suspected misuse of stimulants such as Adderall. These are presented in the filings as allegations and have not been independently verified (reported by Fox News Digital and TMZ).
Housing and safety concerns
Barash’s filings describe extended couch-surfing between September 2024 and June 2025, allegedly due to Storms believing she and her daughter were being followed. After a move to Tennessee, she is said to have reported break-ins and suspicious activity, and she posted security camera footage in April 2026 showing an entry she said occurred while she was out of town (reported by Fox News Digital and SoapHub).
Financial claims cited in filings
Financial details: Media reports based on filings say Barash loaned Storms $5,000 to halt a car repossession and that eviction proceedings were underway in Tennessee. These details appear in coverage by US Magazine and Geo TV.
Storms’ public posts and recent health history
Storms has publicly discussed health scares previously, including a 2025-discovered aneurysm she said “majorly freaked” her out and comments that her “brain seems to be sorta lowkey rebelling against me.” She took a hiatus from General Hospital in 2025 to relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville and to focus on health issues (reports via Fox News Digital and TV Insider).
Legal status and custody
The emergency order was granted in December 2025 and is scheduled for judicial review this week. Filings say Barash sought intervention based on an alleged risk to their daughter, identified as 12-year-old Harper. The court has allowed Storms supervised visitation while proceedings continue (reported by SoapHub and TV Insider).
Parties’ responses
Multiple outlets report representatives for Storms and Barash did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As of April 28, 2026, Storms had not publicly addressed the restraining order in the reports reviewed (Fox News Digital, SoapHub).
Background on the actors
Kirsten Storms has portrayed Maxie on General Hospital since 2005. She and Barash were married from 2013 to 2016 and share a daughter born in 2013. Brandon Barash is known for roles on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives; he remarried Isabella Devoto in 2025 (Geo TV, Soap Opera Digest).
Reporting sources and verification
This article is based on court documents cited in reporting by multiple outlets. Details presented here are allegations derived from filings referenced in media coverage and have not been independently verified by Times Media Service. No conflicting reports were found across the consulted outlets. Key reports used include:
- Fox News Digital
- TMZ — restraining order report
- TMZ — follow-up reporting
- US Magazine
- Soap Opera Digest
- SoapHub
- TV Insider
- Geo TV
- Fox Baltimore (syndicated)
Implications for Utah
While Utah’s economy is not directly affected by this case, local newsrooms and social-media accounts may amplify national coverage, briefly increasing traffic and ad revenue for outlets that cover the story responsibly.
For conservative Utah readers, the situation raises questions about child welfare, parental rights and how courts intervene when a parent is alleged to be in crisis. Community leaders might use the moment to discuss both accountability and compassion for those with mental illness.
Practical takeaways for Utah residents:
- Contact local mental-health crisis lines, non-emergency police or child welfare agencies if someone shows signs of severe distress.
- Maintain security measures — locked doors, working cameras, and police reports — when concerned about break-ins.
- Consult family-law attorneys and local bar associations for guidance on protective orders, supervised visitation and custody questions.
Resources and contacts in Utah
Primary points of contact include the Utah Division of Child and Family Services and local law enforcement non-emergency lines. Mental-health hotlines, community clinics, faith-based organizations and conservative community groups can offer support and referrals.
This report will be updated as courts release public documents or as parties provide official responses.
