Brad Pitt has been cleared of child abuse allegations by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on Wednesday. The most probable next step for Pitt and Angelina Jolie, following their divorce, is for the family court to decide the matter of custody of the children.
It can be recalled that Jolie filed for sole custody alongside her divorce filings. The investigation was launched after Pitt allegedly became "verbally abusive" and "physical" towards Maddox on September 14. This event, as several reports claim, resulted for Jolie to file for divorce a few days later.
"Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their 8-week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal," commented a representative of Jolie, as quoted from PEOPLE. Pitt, on the other hand, has not released a statement on the matter yet.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reached a permanent settlement?
Whereas Jolie previously claimed that a legal agreement has already been accepted and signed by both parties. As per an earlier report of PEOPLE, this agreement was determined by childcare professionals and gives Jolie the custody over their six children while Pitt can have therapeutic visits.
Sources of the publication, however, refute that the deal that Jolie was referring to is not meant as a permanent custody agreement. This is but an independent step taken by Pitt and Jolie in an attempt to determine a more permanent settlement as Pitt continues to push for a joint physical and legal custody of Maddox (15), Pax (12), Zahara (11), Shiloh (10), and twins Knox and Vivienne, (8).
What are the odds for Brad Pitt?
As per USA Today, the result of the investigation is a win for Pitt. The custody of his children with Jolie, however, remains to be decided by the court and also the children themselves. As it turns out, California law gives children, especially over 14, to decide between their mother and father.
"When a kid says 'I don't want to be with dad or mom,' that's what's going to happen. The court has to consider what the kid wants to do," Peter Walzer, a divorce attorney and a source of the publication says.
As of the moment, the children are currently living with Jolie in Malibu. Pitt, on the other hand, releases new film, "Allied." Stay tuned for more updates!
