Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Jack and Jennifer Deveraux Demand Custody of Chad DiMera’s Kids

TL;DR: Jack and Jennifer Deveraux return to Salem on January 21 with one mission: taking custody of Thomas and Charlotte from Days of Our Lives’ grieving widower Chad DiMera. This isn’t a friendly family visit. It’s war.

The Hortons Are Coming For Blood

Well, soap fans, I never thought I’d see the day when Jack Deveraux and Jennifer Horton Deveraux would transform from loving grandparents into full-blown adversaries. But here we are. Days of Our Lives is about to blow the roof off the DiMera mansion, and Chad DiMera is standing directly in the blast zone.

According to comings and goings reports, Jack and Jennifer are back on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. And they’re not bringing casseroles and warm hugs. They’re bringing a custody demand that could rip Thomas DiMera and Charlotte DiMera right out of their father’s arms.

Let that sink in for a moment.

What Led To This Breaking Point?

The tension has been building for months. Back in September 2025, Thomas actively sabotaged Chad’s relationship with Cat Greene. The kid didn’t just act out. He engineered a full-scale romantic demolition. That breakup sent shockwaves all the way to Boston, where Jack and Jennifer started questioning whether Chad DiMera could actually handle raising their grandchildren alone.

Then came the kidnapping chaos in late 2025. Chad was snatched, the kids were terrified, and by the time Christmas rolled around, the reunion felt less like a celebration and more like damage control. Jennifer even delivered “bad news” directly to Thomas in a December 18 episode. The adults are now treating these children like chess pieces in an escalating family feud.

This Is Personal

Make no mistake. This isn’t just about safety concerns or parenting skills. This is Horton versus DiMera, round approximately one thousand. The Hortons have always believed they hold the moral high ground over the DiMeras. And now? They’re using that perceived superiority as a battering ram against Chad.

Jack and Jennifer see the DiMera mansion as a toxic environment. They look at Abigail’s children and see their daughter’s legacy being corrupted by the same family that brought so much pain to Salem over the decades. Chad sees his children. His family. His reason for surviving after losing the love of his life.

The conflict extends beyond January 21, too. Jennifer has additional scenes with Chad on January 23, which tells me this custody conversation goes badly. Very badly.

Speculation Corner

Reading between the lines here, this “meeting” could easily spiral into a full legal battle. Soap Central’s preview coverage frames custody as THE defining issue moving forward. And with Justin Kiriakis (a lawyer, in case you forgot) warning Jennifer back in November? Someone already has legal counsel on speed dial.

My gut tells me Thomas might actually leave Salem with his grandparents. The show has positioned him in adult conversations for weeks now. He’s not a background character anymore. He’s the emotional center of this storm.

Got thoughts on this Horton versus DiMera showdown? Think Jack and Jennifer are justified, or are they overstepping? Write to our editor at amber@soapoperamagazine.com and let us know where you stand!

What Happens Next?

The stakes couldn’t be higher. If Jack and Jennifer win this fight, Chad loses everything he has left of Abigail. If Chad shuts them down, he potentially destroys his relationship with his children’s grandparents forever. There’s no clean resolution here. Only wreckage.

One thing’s certain. Salem is about to witness a family war that will change the DiMera and Horton dynamics for years to come. Buckle up.

Are you Team Chad or Team Horton in this custody battle? Drop your hottest takes in the comments below and let the debate begin!

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