FBI investigation of Brad Pitt's child abuse allegation unlikely to proceed: report
Xinhua, September 25, 2016 Adjust font size:
The investigation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the allegations of child abuse by the 52-year-old actor Brad Pitt is unlikely to proceed, a source close to the situation has told the U.S. People Magazine.
Pitt is accused of being "verbally abusive" and getting "physical" with his 15-year-old son Madox, while he and his wife Angelina Jolie were returning from France to their home in Los Angeles on a private plane on Sept. 14, the People Magazine reported.
A source close to the couple told the People Magazine that Pitt did not strike Maddox but rather, "made contact" with him "in the shoulder area."
"There was absolutely no physical injury to him," the source explained. Pitt was allegedly drunk, and was arguing with Jolie.
"There was a parent-child argument which was not handled in the right way and escalated more than it should have," the source said.
The FBI hasn't determined if a full-fledged investigation is warranted.
"The FBI is continuing to gather facts and will evaluate whether an investigation at the federal level will be pursued," according to a statement released by Laura Eimiller of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.
A source close to the actor said that "it does not seem likely at this time that the FBI will be recommending further investigation into the matter."
Angelina Jolie, the 41-year-old Oscar-winning actress of Hollywood, filed petition for divorce on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the breakup.
Many believe the child-abuse incidence may have triggered the split, which put an end to the two-year marriage of the glamorous couple.
Jolie is asking the court for physical custody of the couple's six children and to grant Pitt visitation rights. Jolie is not asking for spousal support.
Among their six children, they gave birth to three of them and adopted the other three.
A source told U.S. Weekly that Jolie took extreme measures to sever lines of communication with her estranged husband Pitt.
"Angelina has blocked all incoming text messages and also Brad's numbers," the insider said.
The source told the People Magazine that Pitt "is beside himself and has been crying."
"He was completely caught off-guard and blindsided and had no idea she would do this," the source said.
"She had threatened divorce in the past but he did not think she would file this time," the source added. Endi