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‘Southern Charm’ star Kathryn Dennis Burned By Judge In Custody Battle With Thomas Ravenel, Court Record Unsealed
By Ryan Naumann on June 13, 2019 at 11:28 AM EDT
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“Southern Charm” star Kathryn Dennis was harshly criticized by a judge in her custody battle with Thomas Ravenel, and the judge reversed a decision to keep the case sealed.
According to court documents, a South Carolina judge has ordered that Dennis’ and Thomas Ravenel’s court battle will be unsealed, only weeks after a judge originally ordered it be kept private.
The judge considered a motion by Ravenel to reverse the decision to seal the case, saying Dennis and Bravo were all talking about him on the recent season of “Southern Charm”.
The court heard arguments from both sides and came back with a decision that kind of trashed Dennis in the process.
He reversed the decision to seal the case noting that Dennis, despite her request to seal records, “remains dedicated to discussing the custody case in the media; discussing the father of her children, and her very private life. Therefore, sealing the record serves no legitimate purpose, nor does it protect the children – who are routinely exposed to the public and media.”
The judge noted that both Dennis and Ravenel have paraded their children in the media. He notes even though Ravenel isn’t on the show anymore he is still a public figure. He determined most of the dirty laundry is already out there and unsealing it adds no additional harm.
He then went for Dennis saying, “it is clear to the Court that contrary to her own Motion and her Counsel’s argument, Mother has no interest in protecting the privacy of her children, based upon her frequent communications with the entertainment media.”
The court said they remain concerned for the privacy interests of all children involved.
Dennis was ordered to pay Ravenel a total of $3,5000 in attorney fees.
All this comes after the two were able to reunite for their daughter’s Kindergarten graduation, where they were able to stand next to each other amicably.
Back in November 2018, Ravenel filed a lawsuit against Bravo and “Southern Charm” producers demanding a judge stop them from broadcasting unaired footage on the show.
Ravenel filed the docs as part of his custody battle with Dennis. She filed for primary custody of the children back in October. Dennis had her custody taken away in 2016 after failing a drug test but was awarded joint custody this year after completing rehab and staying clean.
In his suit against Bravo, Ravenel says the network and “Southern Charm” producers “encouraged” his ex to file for custody against him to create drama on the show.
He demanded Dennis not be awarded primary custody despite her request. Ravenel, who is about to be on trial for an alleged sexual assault in South Carolina, claimed he learned that Bravo and producers have unaired footage of his kids and ex talking about the legal battle and it was to be aired on the upcoming season. The reality star sued demanding a South Carolina judge prohibit the sensitive footage from airing on the show.
Ravenel would later file docs accusing Dennis of buying drugs from friends and show producers and even accused her of committing a hit-and-run.
Dennis fired back denying the allegations and demanded the lawsuit be dismissed. She accused him of past drug use and claimed he hired a private eye to follow her allegedly in violation of the restraining order in place.
The custody battle is ongoing.