Kelly Rutherford has won her long custody battle for her children and a judge has ordered that the children be returned to Rutherford in the United States.
After a six-year battle, Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford was granted temporary custody of her two children, eight-year-old Hermes, and sister Helena, 6, who have been living in France and Monaco with their father since 2012.
After a bitter divorce, Kelly Rutherford and Daniel Giersch went their separate ways.
Kelly Rutherford was three months pregnant with Helena when she filed for divorce.
On Friday a judge ruled that the children must return to Los Angeles, and that their mother will keep their passports, according to People magazine.
Breaking news: Kelly Rutherford granted sole custody of her 2 children: http://t.co/oaWQi7HNv8 pic.twitter.com/Vbi3cIO3A4
— People magazine (@people) May 24, 2015
Kelly Rutherford told People that her ex would not allow her to see the kids after she arrived in France for her latest trip last week unless she gave their US passports to someone his legal team called “a neutral person,” which turned out to be one of his attorneys.
It is unclear whether France and/or Monaco will abide by the California judge’s ruling.
Kelly Rutherford has been temporarily granted sole and legal custody of her two kids. http://t.co/ZK7mnx9A0g pic.twitter.com/rkipdU8KSK
— HollywoodLife (@HollywoodLife) May 25, 2015
“We are ecstatic, and hopeful that Monaco will respect the California court’s ruling and send the children home. It has long been our position that Monaco has no jurisdiction because Hermes and Helena, as American citizens, have an absolute right to live in their own country,” Rutherford’s lawyer Wendy Murphy told People. “If the citizenship shoe were on the other foot and these children were citizens of Monaco, I have no doubt the United States would respect their right to reside in Monaco.
“Monaco officials know that sending the children back to America is the right thing to do. I’m looking forward to the happy reunion of the children not only with their mother, but also with their country!”
Kelly Rutherford has finally won her long legal battle for the custody of her children! http://t.co/5vS9TohfUp pic.twitter.com/tnYwcDQLJv
— JustJared.com (@JustJared) May 24, 2015
What do you think about Kelly Rutherford’s win?