LAPD: We're not investigating Brad Pitt for child abuse
The Los Angeles Police Department released a statement to ET on Thursday in regard to reports that they were investigating Brad Pitt for allegedly being physically and verbally abusive with one of the six children he shares with Angelina Jolie.
The LAPD says they have not received any reports or phone calls about an incident that allegedly occurred on the couple’s private plane while Jolie and some of their kids were present.
“The LAPD is not handling any reports or allegations into child abuse for Mr. Brad Pitt,” the public information officer told ET. Police officials said that any suspicions of child abuse within their jurisdiction are fully investigated. Had police received a call regarding child abuse, there would be a record of that initial investigation. In this case, there simply was not.
According to People, an anonymous tip was made to the Department of Child and Family Services after an alleged altercation last Wednesday. Sources also told People that the FBI is investigating the incident.
The L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services told ET, “We have very strict confidentiality laws and the laws do not allow us to confirm or deny the subjects of our investigations.”
Amara Suarez, Department of Child and Family Services public information officer, tells ET that when an anonymous tip is received regarding a minor, a social worker is sent to the home to investigate the allegations of child abuse, if there is enough information provided that a child may be in danger. “Our hotline staff will get enough questions to determine if someone needs to be sent out immediately or within five days,” she explains.
If necessary, the social worker will visit the home to speak to both the parents and the children as well as anyone involved and/or associated with the family that can provide further information about the alleged incident. “We do a very thorough investigation,” Suarez continues. “If we determine there is a case, then we open an investigation.”
DCFS has 30 days to investigate and if it is determined the child is safe, the investigation will be closed. If it is determined the child is unsafe, DCFS will file a petition with the court to have the child removed from the home.
DCFS will contact the police department if the reported case involves sexual abuse, physical abuse and severe neglect. Rarely if ever is the LAPD involved in cases other than that.
Jolie, 41, filed for divorce from Pitt on Monday and requested full physical custody of the children, Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8. She is also asking for shared legal custody of the kids, and cites irreconcilable differences as the reason for the couple’s split.
If physical custody is granted to Jolie, the kids would live with her full-time, and be allowed visits and sleepovers with their father.
ET has reached out to Pitt and Jolie’s reps.
After the couple’s secret nuptials in France in August 2014, Jolie revealed to Vanity Fair the wedding vows that her and Pitt’s kids wrote for their famous parents. “They did not expect us never to fight, but they made us promise to always say, ‘Sorry,’ if we do,” she shared.