Angelina Jolie-Pitt filed for divorce on Monday September 19, 2016 from her husband of 2 years, Brad Pitt. While she cited irreconcilable differences in her legal documents filed by Attorney Laura Wasser, Esq., allegedly said dissolution of marriage complaint and appeal to the Los Angeles Superior Court for sole physical and legal custody of their 6 children was precipitated by physical and mental abuse of the kids by Pitt.
Purportedly, Pitt physically and emotionally lashed out at one or more of the kids a week ago or so on an airplane and at the tarmac at an airport in Minnesota. And a person on the tarmac anonymously called in a report of suspected abuse by Pitt to the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for investigation purposes – http://nymag.com/…/brad-pitt-is-now-under-investigation-for…. TMZ reported that both Jolie-Pitt and Pitt talked with investigators at DCFS. This writer knows from over 30 years of personal and professional experience that competent attorneys will never advise their clients to speak to governmental officials without counsel present. It is unknown to this writer if Jolie-Pitt and/or Pitt spoke to DCFS officials with or without counsel present.
Even if Jolie-Pitt via her attorney presents to the California Court as a protective parent who acted proactively in initiating divorce litigation, if Pitt is cleared by the DCFS (The LAPD is not pursing a criminal case against Pitt) and the disposition of the investigative report is unfounded, and Pitt’s attorneys are not tasked with trying an Administrative Appeal because DCFS labelled Pitt indicated or substantiated on the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI), if this is a fast-paced tennis match, advantage Pitt.
Why? Because the timing of Jolie-Pitt’s divorce complaint is too close to the evolution of a frivolous child abuse charge against Pitt (the Respondent), and the Court could rule sua sponte against mother for committing parental alienation in trying to exact a fatherectomy. In fact, if the California Court decides Jolie-Pitt falsely accused Pitt of child abuse with malice per section 3027.1 of the family code http://farzadlaw.com/fathers…/false-child-abuse-allegations/, it could be a win-win for Pitt.
Since Jolie-Pitt didn’t call in the child abuse report herself to the DCFS, chances are she will not be sanctioned by the Court as same will not find her actions malicious. But, the Court could and may appoint Minors Counsel to represent the children and/or a 730 child custody evaluator (psychologist) if this now muddy case becomes muddier. Assuming Pitt has limited or no contact with the kids pending DCFS’ investigation, it will be interesting to see if Jolie-Pitt unilaterally places any or all of the kids into “child abuse counseling.”
False allegations of child abuse made within the dynamic of a divorce and/or custody battle have been coined the ultimate weapon…legal napalm. Emotions can outweigh logic, and best practices can be overlooked. Quickly, the accused is presumed guilty and having to prove his innocence in a Court that need only rule by 51% or a preponderance of the evidence. Well-intentioned, well-meaning, but misguided child protective investigators and a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) of professionals believe kids do not lie and are not mistaken when it comes to abuse.
All of a sudden the accused, the alleged perpetrator, faces possible gestapo-like tactics in a very high-profile case of alleged child abuse within a protracted divorce and custody battle. And even if the accused’s name is Brad (The one who starred in the movie Troy), he can find he’s quickly painted as the villain in the middle of a Snake Pitt.
Dean Tong, MSc,CFC, D-ABFE is a nationally-noted Certified Forensic Consultant, Author and Trial Consultant. Known for his expertise in false child abuse cases. Tong has worked court cases in all 50 states. His web site, www.abuse-excuse.com is approaching 1 Million hits to its home page.
Dean Tong, MSc., CFC, D-ABFE, BBB A+ Accredited
Diplomate – American Board of Forensic Examiners
604 Brentwood Place
Brandon, FL 33511
813.657.4930, Office/Fax
813.417.5362, Mobile
DeanTong@aol.com
http://www.abuse-excuse.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Tong