Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking Journey of Receiving 'Build-a-Bear' Messages from Imprisoned Parents

Reality TV star Savannah Chrisley reveals the emotional impact of receiving personal messages from her incarcerated parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, embedded in Build-a-Bear toys. As she navigates custody of her siblings and copes with her parents' absence, Savannah opens up about her struggles and the power of support during challenging times.

Savannah Chrisley, known for her role in the reality TV show "Chrisley Knows Best," has been candid about her family's struggles after her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were sentenced to prison for fraud and tax evasion. Amidst the emotional turmoil, Savannah shared a poignant aspect of her journey: the Build-a-Bear toys containing messages from her incarcerated mother.

Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking Journey of Receiving 'Build-a-Bear' Messages from Imprisoned Parents

Prior to her imprisonment in January 2023, Julie Chrisley recorded prayers and personalized messages in Build-a-Bears for her children. Savannah and her then-nine-year-old sister, Chloe, cherished the special gifts, using them as a way to connect with their mother before lights out each night.

"And then Grayson had tears in his eyes and he was like, 'But I want one, too,'" Savannah recalled. "And Build-a-Bear closed in like 30 minutes, and she, like, raced to Build-a-Bear and made him two, made me one, made Chase one and, like, we all still have it."

Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking Journey of Receiving 'Build-a-Bear' Messages from Imprisoned Parents

While Savannah played the recording regularly, Chloe's reaction to hearing her mother's voice was surprising. "Someone played it the other day and Chloe freaked out and was like, 'Don't play it! Don't play it!' because she hasn't listened to it at all."

Savannah's friend, Tyler Bishop, expressed empathy for the Chrisley children, as an outsider witnessing their emotional journey. "From an outsider's perspective looking in, I can't imagine what it was like receiving those but watching y'all for the first time play them to yourselves and listening to it was so heartbreaking," Bishop said.

Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking Journey of Receiving 'Build-a-Bear' Messages from Imprisoned Parents

The Chrisley family's legal battle and subsequent imprisonment cast a pall over Savannah's life. "It was just like every piece of the weight of the world was on your shoulders," she recalled of the day her parents turned themselves in.

"I was happy you were comfortable crying, just cry," her friend Erin Dugan said of Savannah's emotional release. "Most people are in that situation that you're in could never handle it like you do and break down way more than that."

Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking Journey of Receiving 'Build-a-Bear' Messages from Imprisoned Parents

In hindsight, Savannah lamented the lack of preparation before her parents' imprisonment. "I think about that as a positive thing when you do get to that point, because I'm like, that needs to get out," she said.

"They didn't do anything to prepare to go, like not packing the kids' stuff up, moving them, packing their stuff up," she added.

Savannah Chrisley Shares Heartbreaking Journey of Receiving 'Build-a-Bear' Messages from Imprisoned Parents

Savannah and her ex-fiance, Nick Kerdiles, who later passed away in a motorcycle accident, took it upon themselves to prepare the children and their belongings for the move.

Despite the challenges, Savannah remained resilient, leaning on the support of her friends and family. "There was so much denial that Julie and Todd were going to prison after their sentencing," said her friend Holly Waldrup. "Nobody accepted the fact that they were going away 'til they got there."

Savannah's story highlights the power of human connection and the ability to find solace and support even during life's most difficult moments. As the Chrisley family navigates their uncertain future, the Build-a-Bear messages serve as a constant reminder of the love and resilience that bind them together.