Christina Ricci's Husband Fires Back, Files His Own Restraining Order Against the Actress
By Liz Walters on January 22, 2021 at 7:03 AM EST
Christina Ricci's husband, James Heerdegen, has filed his own restraining order against the actress, alleging Ricci's alcohol and substance abuse poses a very real threat of danger to their son.
Ricci filed a separate request for a restraining order, and Heerdegen is alleging his ex's claims are "materially false and misleading". According to court documents obtained by The Blast, James has notified the court that Ricci's alleged conduct should be reported to the Department of Children and Family Services for investigation. James is asking that Christina stay 100 yards away from him. He wants sole legal and physical custody of his son Frederick, who is the child he has with Ricci. He wants Christina to have no visitation until the time of their hearing unless it's supervised.
James Heerdegen claims Christina Ricci's habitual alcohol and substance abuse has occurred in his presence and their son's presence. He claims "she would typically 'blackout' after drinking to excess, and have no memory of the events and/or abusive conduct that she engaged in". James is accusing Ricci of assault like hitting and scratching him while intoxicated, causing damage to property in the home, and allegedly driving drunk with their son in the car.
Heerdegen has alleged that Ricci's attempts to obtain leverage and control of their son has led to filing a false police report and false domestic violence allegations against him.
Ricci's attorney Samantha Spector responded to the filing, saying, “This filing is nothing more than a transparently abusive attempt to silence my client. It will not work. Christina will not be intimidated by Mr. Heerdegen and his barrage of misleading claims – and she remains determined to protect her family.”
Heerdegen says one point of contention with respect to their son with Ricci was the actress allegedly "fell over as a result of becoming drunk while holding the baby in her arms" and Ricci's conduct "destroyed my emotional calm and peace of mind given the danger her drinking represented to our infant child".
In Heerdegen's request for his restraining order, he has submitted text messages between himself and Ricci of her alleged alcohol and substance abuse. One text from Heerdegen says, "You've been outta control on a manic streak for a long time." Ricci responds with, "I get it this time." Heerdegen continues, "You need to stop taking whatever f***ing meds your taking...you need to really pull it together." Ricci says, "I will and I'm sorry." Heerdegen wants to establish the pattern that Ricci has allegedly admitted to her signs of abuse.
Heerdegen is represented by celebrity attorney, Larry M Bakman, who has extensive jury trial experience with an emphasis in handling Family Law Domestic Violence matters. In addition to his request for a temporary restraining order, James is requesting an order on child and spousal support, attorneys fees, and that Ricci enter into a year-long batterer intervention program. Christina Ricci's ex claims the actress has not cooperated with him in parenting, and has requested the court to require permission for Ricci to travel outside the County of Los Angeles with their son. Heerdegen says Ricci is "a liar and has fabricated domestic violence allegations to further her agenda of coercive control primarily relating to our son and to money."
