Ricci's ex denied son's emergency custody plea

A court has rejected an emergency custody request filed by James Heerdegen, the ex-husband of actress Christina Ricci. The filing stemmed from text messages sent by their 11-year-old son, Freddie, to Heerdegen on June 16, alleging that Ricci had consumed alcohol during a flight to Canada. Attorneys for Freddie later spoke with him directly on June 18. During this conversation, Freddie stated that he had "overreacted" in sending the initial texts, clarified that Ricci's behavior was not as he had described, and affirmed he felt no fear being in her primary physical custody. Ricci had requested the sealing of the text messages, citing potential renewed bullying her son could face at school, which could jeopardize his mental health. The court granted this request and ultimately denied Heerdegen's emergency custody order.

This legal development follows a complex history between Ricci and Heerdegen. Ricci filed for divorce in July 2020, having married Heerdegen in 2013 after meeting on the set of "Pan Am." In January 2021, Ricci obtained a domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen, alleging severe physical and emotional abuse, much of which she claimed occurred in front of their son. Heerdegen's attorney has denied these allegations. Ricci has since married Mark Hampton.