Los Angeles: The FBI has confirmed that it is gathering information into allegations against Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt regarding his children.
It has been reported that Pitt misbehaved with his kids on a private flight.
The agency has confirmed it is “continuing to gather facts” about the incident, which has been widely reported to have led to his wife Angelina Jolie to file for a divorce.
41-year-old Jolie’s lawyer had stated that the reason for the split was “family’s health”.
“In response to your inquiry regarding allegations within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; specifically, an aircraft carrying Mr Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI is continuing to gather facts and will evaluate whether an investigation at the federal level will be pursued,” the FBI said in a statement to Variety.
According to the LA Times, the FBI was informed of “a child welfare incident”.
The alleged incident took place on September 14 on a private jet flying from France to Los Angeles, with a stop in Minnesota.
Jolie, who filed for divorce on September 19 ending their two-year-old marriage, had listed the date of separation as September 15.
Variety cited sources saying that the FBI received a complaint from the state officials.
While the FBI might not usually look into such a case, the sources told the magazine that because the alleged incident happened while in the air, it moves to the FBI to gather evidence to determine whether or not a federal investigation is required.
It was earlier reported that Pitt was under investigation for child abuse after after he allegedly got “verbally abusive” and “physical” with one of his children on the flight.
A source had told People magazine that the Los Angeles Police Department and LA County Department of Children and Family Services are both investigating after someone anonymously reported the incident.
LAPD, however, denied its involvement.
Jolie has requested for full custody of their six children– three biological and three adopted. The grounds for divorce are listed as “irreconcilable differences”.
“I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time,” Pitt, 52, said in a statement.
The actor is yet to respond to the allegations.
PTI