Inside Carol Burnett’s Bond With Grandson Dylan After Temporary Guardianship Win: ‘They Are Kindred Souls’

Carol Burnett and her grandson Dylan Hamilton West “adore each other,” an insider exclusively reveals to Closer Weekly. The duo’s bond will undoubtedly become even stronger now that the Carol Burnett Show star was awarded temporary guardianship of daughter Erin Hamilton‘s 14-year-old son.

Carol, 87, and her husband, Brian Miller, were appointed temporary guardians of Dylan on Tuesday, September 1, according to court documents obtained by Closer. Their guardianship will last until January 8, 2021, while Erin struggles with alleged substance abuse issues.

“Dylan lives with them now,” the insider says. “They adore each other. They are kindred souls. He has Carol’s sense of humor. He’s a lovely young man.”

In the court documents, Carol said Dylan’s life with Erin was “unstable” and “unpredictable” at home. She noted her daughter has previously “done drugs” and “expressed suicidal thoughts” in front of the teen. Dylan’s dad, Tony West, also allegedly struggled with addiction and is “unable to provide financial support” for his son, Carol claimed in the docs.

As for Erin, she claimed the singer was “institutionalized” eight times for substance abuse. However, the Golden Globe winner has tried to help her daughter by paying for her “numerous rehabs” and therapy. “She’s doing everything and did everything she could possibly do,” the source says. But at the end of the day, Carol knows she needs to use “tough love” to deal with an addicted child. She’s “focused on helping her grandson Dylan now. Erin has to help herself.”

Although the Annie star and Brian, 64, won temporary guardianship of Dylan, this doesn’t mean Carol or her hubby will replace Erin and Tony as their grandson’s parents. “Guardianship [is] not intended to deny him nor the parents proper visitation with one another,” the Emmy winner says. “We look forward to recovery being the next stepping stone.”

Now that Carol and Brian’s custody battle is over, they can focus on sharing more great moments together. “Dylan is a lovely kid who adores both of them,” the insider says. “They shower him with love. He’s been spending and has spent a great deal of time with them over the years. Brian and him also have a wonderful loving bond.”

For more on Carol and her family, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive news!