Brad Pitt has been cleared by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services after an investigation into an incident regarding himself and his family, a source familiar with the situation told CNN.
Angelina Jolie’s rep also issued a statement to Variety on Wednesday, saying that the DCFS is “satisfied” with the “safeguards” put in place.
“The job of the DCFS is to make sure the children are in a safe and secure situation,” reads the statement. “As we said earlier this week, childcare professionals encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides that was in the best interest of the children. 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.”
The agency was reportedly looking into Pitt over accusations surrounding an incident between himself and his teenage son Maddox. An argument the two had while the family was aboard a private jet allegedly ended in physical contact, but not child abuse, the investigation concluded, according to TMZ, which first reported the news.
When reached by email, the DCFS said it does not comment on possible involvement with clients, citing confidentiality laws.
On Sept. 22, the FBI said it was “continuing to gather facts” over the incident, which took place on Sept. 14 on a jet flying from France to Los Angeles, with a stop in Minnesota. While the FBI might not usually get involved in such a case, a source explained to Variety that because the incident happened while the family was in the air, it fell on the FBI to look into the situation and determine whether or not a federal investigation is necessary. A spokesperson with the FBI said Wednesday that the agency’s position has not changed since its last statement.
The incident gained attention in the wake of the news that Jolie was filing for divorce from Pitt in September. Jolie stated “irreconcilable differences” as legal grounds, and said in a statement through her lawyer that she filed for divorce “for the health of the family.”
On Monday, Jolie’s rep said in a statement that she and Pitt reached a custody agreement in the divorce, with Jolie retaining custody of all six of their children. As part of the agreement, Pitt will continue “therapeutic visits” with the children.
