Brad Pitt admits to yelling at his children, but denies causing them any physically abuse, amidst his divorce from Angelina Jolie.
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Pitt’s actions were initially investigated by the Department of Child and Family Services, who handed the matter over to federal investigators, because it occurred mid-flight, thus placing it in their jurisdiction.
Update 9/22, 11 a.m.: Despite earlier reports, the LAPD has issued a statement saying they are “not handling any report or allegations into child abuse for Mr. Brad Pitt”.
On Thursday (local time), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said it was not investigating Brad Pitt over the allegations, despite TMZ reports.
41-year-old Jolie’s lawyer had stated that the reason for the split was “family’s health”.
According to the site’s anonymous source, the allegation involved “unruly behaviour” by the actor with his child present. The National Transportation Safety Board explains on its website that in aviation incidents involving suspected criminal activity other agencies may be involved in the investigation.
Meanwhile, Brad gave an interview to People magazine and said: “I am very saddened by this but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids”.
According to an anonymous source quoted by the daily, the FBI is investigating allegations of unruly behavior by Pitt aboard a plane last week in the presence of one of his children.
“It’s unfortunate for the whole family that people are insisting on continuing this endless smear campaign against Brad that hurts everyone”.
A source close to Pitt told USA Today that the Fight Club star meant to cooperate fully with any investigation and that he believed the child abuse allegations were baseless.
Jolie is said to not be seeking spousal support and is requesting sole custody of the children with Pitt getting visitation rights and joint legal custody.
The incident was anonymously reported to authorities several days later.
“Angelina’s team’s campaign to smear him is so aggressive, they called all the major networks, People and TMZ last night with claims he is beating her and the kids”, the source said.
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The A-listers Wednesday in France in August two years ago, but have been a couple since 2004. It’s the third for Jolie Pitt, who was previously married to Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.
