16 and Pregnant alum Lori Wickelhaus is dating an older man after her arrest on child porn charges.
The Celeb Report can exclusively reveal Lori, 28, is dating Kentucky native Michael Cole, 46.
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The two began dating after she was arrested and charged in August 2020 with 20 counts of possession of viewing matter portraying sexual performance of a minor.
A source close to the couple told The Celeb Report: “She is dating her friend’s ex-boyfriend. They began dating after Christmas when Michael had a falling out with his girlfriend.”
The new romance came as Lori returned to Facebook with a glam makeover in February 2020.
The troubled reality star is unrecognizable, as her hair is dyed brown in some photos, while she shows off more blonde and red locks in other snaps.
Lori also has heavy eye makeup in all of the shots.
The new look is a stark contrast from her tear-stricken mugshot from August.
Lori posts photos of her new look frequently, as her most recent photo is from June 13.
She has not posted photos with her daughter Rylynn Jo, who she welcomed in 2013, and son Logan, who she welcomed in 2014, with ex-fiance Joseph Amos.
Lori’s social media return comes as The Celeb Report previously reported she entered a plea of guilty at her May 10 court hearing.
She will be sentenced for the crime on June 29.
A 20-count indictment warrant was issued for Lori’s arrest on August 13, 2020 for possession of viewing matter portraying sexual performance of a minor from the dates September 23, 2019, December 18, 2019 and December 19, 2019.
In the police report obtained by The Celeb Report, the pornography was allegedly found on an iPhone and white chrome laptop PC.
The police received a Cybertip from the Kentucky State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force when an “unknown subject uploaded images that depict child pornography to a dropbox account,” according to the report.
Lori was released on $10,000 cash bond.
In September, she pleaded not guilty to the 20 counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
A jury trial was scheduled for May 10, 2021, the day she changed her plea.
Lori deactivated her social media after her arrest.
She appeared on the Season 2, Episode 5 of 16 and Pregnant.
On her episode, she placed her son Aidan with then-boyfriend Cory Haskett for adoption after her parents encouraged her to.
Lori spent time at Q&A Associates in West Virginia, a transitional program for young adults.
In 2012, Lori gave a rare interview regarding her struggle with depression following the adoption.
She said: “Before I got here I was on a downward spiral. I had no dreams, I didn’t have any goals, I didn’t care what happened day to day.
“I’d wake up and go right back to bed. There was nothing to get up and work for. Now I have everything to work for.
“After my pregnancy, I hit a rough spot. I couldn’t really get over that I had done an open adoption with my son. I wasn’t working. I quit going to school. I knew I needed a change.
“I see a good career. A family, a nice house and a couple of animals. I really have a big dream for myself so I plan on reaching it.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
