Brad Pitt cleared in child abuse investigation

Brad Pitt has been cleared of child abuse allegations by the Los Angeles County Department Of Children And Family Services and the case has now been closed.

The 52-year-old actor was accused of striking his 15-year-old son Maddox on board a private jet in late September while under the influence of alcohol but, following weeks of extensive interviews with the child and evidence gathering, the Los Angeles County Department Of Children And Family Services decided to close the case on Wednesday.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that it has been decided the 'Allied' star had not physically or emotionally harmed Maddox when they allegedly got into a war of words on their private jet.

Now that the investigation has been closed and he has been cleared of the allegations, Brad should have a better chance in his bitter custody war with estranged wife Angelina Jolie, 41.

The actress - who married the hunk two years ago - filed for divorce from Brad just days after the jet incident and asked for sole physical custody of their children Maddox, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

However, Brad is determined to get joint custody and it seems, at present, the Californian courts are in his favour.

Until they reach an agreement, the children will remain in Angelina's care and Brad will have "therapeutic visits."

A statement said recently: "The six children will stay in their mother's custody, and the children will continue therapeutic visits with their father. This has been determined by childcare professionals to be in the children's best interest."

Meanwhile, according to TMZ, Brad gave the same separation date - September 15, 2016 - as Angelina in his documents, but neither star has mentioned spousal or child support.

Angelina Jolie insists she had to "take action" against Brad Pitt

Angelina Jolie has issued a statement after Brad Pitt was cleared of abuse allegations by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

The 41-year-old actress is "relieved" the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) have concluded their investigations into her estranged husband, who has now been cleared of child abuse allegations, and hopes their brood - Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne - can now begin to "heal" as they cope with their parents' separation.

Her representative said in a statement to TMZ: "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 spokesperson also confirmed the former couple - who split in September amid claims Brad, 52, had "got physical" with Maddox during a row on a private jet - have both signed an agreement which sees the 'Maleficent' star retain primary custody of the children, with the 'Allied' actor receiving supervised visits.

However, it is believed the agreement was only in place while the DCFS investigation was ongoing, and Brad it still determined to seek joint custody of the kids.

But sources claimed Angelina still feels the children are at risk and if the 'Fury' star is awarded shared custody, she will "present evidence" to the divorce judge that her former partner was abusive.

Angelina's statement echoes the one she issues after filing for divorce, in which she claimed to have done so for the "health of her family".

Her attorney Robert Offer said at the time: "Angelina has filed for dissolution of the marriage. This decision was made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time."

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