A former Arkansas state trooper has resigned from his position following the emergence of disturbing text messages that his wife claims he sent, which contain racist, homophobic, and sexist content. Michael Austin Kennedy’s resignation came shortly after his wife, Alana Delaney Kennedy, filed court documents revealing over two dozen messages during their ongoing divorce proceedings amid a contentious custody battle over their two young children.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Michael-Austin-Kennedy-060326-9123dbea64264acb949468f5ca1a253b.jpg)
According to the filings submitted at the end of last month, Alana Kennedy expressed significant concerns regarding her husband’s ideals, categorising him as a “white supremacist” who could negatively influence their children with his perspectives. Her petition for sole custody emphasised her belief that Michael’s views could be detrimental to the upbringing of their two children, and she is seeking legal recourse to protect them.
The court documents, which were reviewed by PEOPLE, include excerpts from approximately 30 text messages purportedly sent by Michael Kennedy. These messages reportedly feature racial slurs and boastful remarks about apprehending individuals from minority communities. Within the messages, he allegedly shared photographs of himself with individuals he appeared to have arrested.
One particularly alarming message caught the attention of reviewers; it suggested that the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, should be abolished. Additionally, several messages were noted to contain homophobic slurs, further highlighting the troubling nature of the communications.
In light of these revelations, Alana has recommended that her estranged husband participate in a parenting course designed to reduce the ingrained hatred and prejudice he demonstrates towards various groups. She has also alleged that Michael and his father, Lt. Col. Mike Kennedy, who serves as the Deputy Director of the Arkansas State Police, threatened her with arrest for disclosing the contents of the text messages to the public.
Alana’s court filings articulate her frustrations with Michael, alleging that he fails to recognise the consequences of his actions and instead places blame on others for their reaction to his behaviour. “No one plays the victim better than the one who caused the damage,” she stated in her filing.
In a response filed on May 21, Michael Kennedy reportedly acknowledged the inappropriate nature of the texts and expressed remorse over his past communications. His lawyer stated that he takes full responsibility for his language and has no excuses for the offensive remarks, which he now considers improper and misaligned with his current values.
The couple’s marital history indicates they were married in January 2014 and separated in February 2026. Their divorce, compounded by issues of custody and these recent allegations, has captured attention both locally and nationally.
Reports confirm that Michael Kennedy officially resigned from the Arkansas State Police on May 15, shortly after the allegations were made public. The agency has yet to comment on the matter since the resignation.
The situation continues to develop as both parties navigate the complexities of their separation and the implications surrounding their children’s wellbeing. The case raises broader questions about accountability and conduct within law enforcement, particularly regarding the values and behaviours exhibited by those in positions of authority. As the divorce proceedings unfold, further details may emerge that could shed light on the dynamics of their relationship and the implications for the future custody of their children.
For ongoing updates and coverage on this case, interested readers are encouraged to remain tuned into local news outlets and updates.