It happened after a court rejected James Heerdegen’s claims that Christina Ricci drank alcohol on a flight with the child.
Yellowjackets star Christina Ricci’s ex-husband, James Heerdegen, has been denied emergency custody of their 11-year-old son, Freddie, after a court rejected his claims that Ricci drank alcohol on a flight with the child.
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According to court documents obtained by PeopleHeerdegen requested an emergency custody order after Freddie texted him during a flight to Canada on June 16 to report that Ricci had been drinking.
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The court rejects James Heerdegen’s bid for emergency custody
In her response, Ricci acknowledged that Freddie had contacted her father and used “certain words” to describe her alcohol consumption and behavior during the flight. The following day, however, Freddie told his father’s lawyers that he had “overreacted” when he sent the texts.
According to documents obtained by TMZFreddie’s own legal counsel filed documents stating that “the description of Ms. Ricci’s alcohol consumption and behavior thereafter was not as he had described,” and that the child had “no fear of continuing to be” in her mother’s care.
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The court has also agreed to seal the documents containing the text messages, with Freddie’s lawyer arguing that public access to the records “could endanger” his mental health. Ricci had also cited the severe bullying her son has suffered at school as the reason for sealing the texts.
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The 43-year-old ex-husband also requested an alcohol test for Ricci. Both requests were refused, as per TMZ.
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Ricci and Heerdegen’s contentious divorce
Ricci and Heerdegen started dating in 2011 after meeting on the set of the TV series Pan Amwhere Heerdegen worked as a camera technician and dolly grip.
They tied the knot in October, two years later, in an intimate ceremony on New York City’s Upper East Side. They welcomed Freddie the following year.
According to TMZ, Ricci filed for divorce from Heerdegen back in July 2020, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. The contentious divorce was finalized in December 2022.
In June 2020, Ricci obtained an order of protection against Heerdegen after the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a domestic battery call at the couple’s home, according to NBC Los Angeles.
In January 2021, she obtained a formal domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen, alleging “severe physical and emotional abuse”, with “many of these acts” taking place in front of their son.
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Heerdegen’s lawyer said at the time that his client “unequivocally denies all allegations of abuse.” He separately sought a restraining order alleging that alcohol and drug abuse contributed to Ricci’s behavior.
Under their divorce agreement, the parents share joint legal custody of Freddie, although Ricci retains final decision-making authority over major medical or educational choices if the parents reach an impasse. Ricci has primary physical custody.
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As part of the financial settlement, Heerdegen received a one-time payment of $189,687 from Ricci, according to a separate report by TMZ. Ricci agreed to cover 100% of Freddie’s private school tuition and covered medical expenses.
Since finalizing her divorce, Ricci married hairdresser Mark Hampton and welcomed a daughter.
