Bachelor Alum Melissa Rycroft, 42, Arrested for DWI in Dallas

Melissa Rycroft was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated last week in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. 

The 42-year-old Bachelor alum – who previously starred on the 13th season of the ABC reality dating series – was taken into custody late last month on September 23, TMZ reported on Thursday. 

The mother-of-three was then booked into a local jail but released after eight hours. 

Sources informed the outlet that Rycroft posted a $1,000 bond with a promise to appear in court. 

Further details of the incident and arrest have to be revealed. However, her lawyer Bret Martin offered a statement to TMZ. 

‘I want to remind the public of the fundamental principle of our justice system…every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty,’ Martin said. 

Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft, 42, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated last week in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on September 23, per TMZ; Pictured in her mugshot

Bachelor alum Melissa Rycroft, 42, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated last week in the Dallas/Fort Worth area on September 23, per TMZ; Pictured in her mugshot 

The mother-of-three was then booked into a local jail but was released after eight hours; seen in 2015 in NYC

The mother-of-three was then booked into a local jail but was released after eight hours; seen in 2015 in NYC 

‘We, as a society, have gotten completely away from this fundamental concept. My Client was arrested on the allegation of Driving While Intoxicated. An arrest is no indication of guilt.’ 

He emphasized the importance of closely looking into ‘the circumstances of this case – including the conduct of law enforcement, the toxicology results, and the facts surrounding her arrest-before any conclusions are drawn. 

‘We respectfully request that the media and the public allow the legal process to unfold, and withhold any judgment whatsoever until all of the evidence has been properly analyzed and presented in a court of law.’

Back in 2009, Rycroft made an appearance on the 13th season of The Bachelor as she competed for the final rose from bachelor Jason Mesnick. 

He eventually proposed to Rycroft during the finale – but ended their relationship on live television during the After The Final Rose episode and confessed his feelings for runner-up Molly Malaney. 

Resnick ended up marrying Malaney in 2010 and Rycroft rekindled a romance with former beau Tye Strickland in 2009. 

The pair also tied the knot and have since welcomed three children together. 

When the 13th season of The Bachelor came to an end, Rycroft continued to make appearances on television. 

The Bachelor alum - who previously starred on the 13th season of the ABC reality dating series - was taken into custody late last month on September 23, TMZ reported on Thursday; seen above on The Bachelor in 2009 with Jason Mesnick

The Bachelor alum – who previously starred on the 13th season of the ABC reality dating series – was taken into custody late last month on September 23, TMZ reported on Thursday; seen above on The Bachelor in 2009 with Jason Mesnick 

Mesnick eventually proposed to Rycroft during the finale - but ended their relationship on live television during the After The Final Rose episode and confessed his feelings for runner-up Molly Malaney; Rycroft seen as cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006

Mesnick eventually proposed to Rycroft during the finale – but ended their relationship on live television during the After The Final Rose episode and confessed his feelings for runner-up Molly Malaney; Rycroft seen as cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006 

Rycroft rekindled a romance with former beau Tye Strickland in 2009. The pair also tied the knot and have since welcomed three children together

Rycroft rekindled a romance with former beau Tye Strickland in 2009. The pair also tied the knot and have since welcomed three children together

The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader competed on season eight of Dancing With The Stars and came in third place. 

In 2012, she competed during the show’s All-Stars season and notably came in first place with partner Tony Dovolani. 

Rycroft has previously reflected on her time on The Bachelor and the public end of her engagement to Resnick at the time. 

In 2020, the mom-of-three made an appearance on The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever! for an interview with host Chris Harrison, per People.  

At one point, the TV personality admitted that she had yet to watch her season of The Bachelor. 

‘I’ve still never seen my season of The Bachelor. I’ve still never seen that infamous After the Final Rose. I’ve seen clips and stuff, but it’s weird.’

Rycroft added, ‘I’ll be honest, it’s just really surreal. It feels like a lifetime ago. It feels like I was a different person then, so when I see the different clips and I hear people talk, it almost makes me cringe. 

‘I felt like such a little girl getting her heart broken and everybody got to see it and judge it.’ 

In 2012, she competed during the show's All-Stars season and notably came in first place with partner Tony Dovolani

In 2012, she competed during the show’s All-Stars season and notably came in first place with partner Tony Dovolani

She also later gave insight into her life following The Bachelor, such as raising her three kids with husband Tye Strickland. 

‘Things are great, and I can honestly say it could not have happened for me personally without The Bachelor.’

She added, ‘My husband is an old relationship, but what happened during my relationship with Jason and how it ended changed me as a person.

‘Therefore, when Tye and I were able to give the relationship another shot, I was different. If I had not gone through that, I can confidently say Tye and I would not be together today.’  

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