American model Ashlyn Castro, the girlfriend of footballer Jude Bellingham, was captured on police bodycam footage describing an assault by her mother in July 2024. Castro, 28, informed officers that her mother, Tina, who has schizophrenia and was living on the streets at the time, attacked her in a hotel parking lot in Henderson, Nevada.
In the footage, Castro is heard haltingly explaining to an officer that she had intended to take her mother back to California to find a solution for her. However, the situation escalated when Tina allegedly lashed out, pulling Castro's hair and punching her face. Castro’s account was supported by visible scratches on her hands and a swollen lip. Tina, who was being questioned by other officers, offered a different version of events, claiming her daughter attacked her.
Tina was subsequently fined $200 for domestic battery but has not paid the fine and is now wanted for contempt of court. The incident occurred a few months before Castro began her relationship with Bellingham.
Castro's mother has a history of mental health struggles and has experienced periods of homelessness. She was previously placed under a conservatorship managed by her brother, a police captain, but her condition worsened after the conservatorship ended and she stopped taking her medication. Castro's brother, Trever, stated that it is virtually impossible to force their mother into treatment unless she poses a danger to herself or others.
Tina's social media posts indicate she has been moving between halfway houses and homeless shelters. Castro has publicly acknowledged her mother's mental illness and has spoken about the difficulties of dealing with such a situation. She plans to start a charity to support those affected by mental health issues and their families. Castro has also addressed accusations of being a "gold digger" by stating she has had few public relationships and that the scrutiny intensified after her relationship with Bellingham began.
Castro's father, Michael, also experienced mental health issues, including depression, and was reportedly abusive during his marriage to Tina. Tina fled the marriage with Ashlyn and Trever in 2000 and obtained a restraining order against him. Michael Bellingham later sought treatment and rebuilt his life until his death from COVID-19 in 2021. Castro described her childhood as chaotic due to her parents' respective mental health challenges.