Actor's Custody Battle: Daughter's 'Slut' Remark Sparks Boarding School Plea

Actor Ioan Gruffudd sought to place his daughter Ella in a therapeutic boarding school after a significant confrontation involving him and his girlfriend, Bianca Wallace, in 2023. The incident, which occurred during a custody visit, allegedly saw Ella, then 13, refer to Wallace with a derogatory term and vandalize Gruffudd's property.

Following this event, Gruffudd amended his custody request, focusing solely on his younger daughter Elsie and seeking sole physical custody while proposing the boarding school for Ella. His ex-wife, Alice Evans, has since been awarded 100% custody, and Gruffudd has had no visitation. A nine-day trial is slated to begin on February 23rd.

Lawyers for Alice Evans assert that Gruffudd's request for a restraining order renewal is a tactic to avoid spousal support. They argue that Evans' social media posts about her financial difficulties do not constitute harassment. Evans is seeking increased child and spousal support, while Gruffudd claims he has overpaid spousal support and requests a termination of his obligation due to alleged ongoing domestic abuse from Evans.

Gruffudd's legal team contends that Evans' "extensive social media campaign" has alienated the children from their father, preventing him from safe visitation. They are seeking to renew a domestic violence restraining order that was initially issued in 2022 after Evans sent numerous messages to Gruffudd. Evans' legal team counters that she has not breached the order and is focused on her own healing and financial stability.