The investigation surrounding Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s tumultuous split has been extended.
A source familiar with the situation told Access Hollywood that the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services is continuing their “safety” plan, amid allegations of an altercation between Brad and oldest son Maddox aboard a private plane last month.
An additional source told Access the investigation is “serious,” claiming that the DCFS is not “just looking into one situation,” but a potential history.
“They’re talking to additional folks,” the second source said. “They’re looking at past behavior and patterns.”
According to the first source, the DCFS is acting as an “intermediary” and will have assigned therapists ask the rest of the kids if they have witnessed any “physical abuse, aggression, verbal abuse or cruelty.”
The objective is to identify the “immediate risk” facing all six kids “and their mental health,” the source added, claiming that the kids are continuing to exhibit “ongoing” symptoms consistent with PTSD including crying and nightmares.
The DCFS protective order requiring a therapist to be present for Brad’s visits with the children was initially set for an Oct. 20 deadline. The organization will not be interviewing anyone outside the family, including nannies or household help, the source said.
While the source told Access that the family hasn’t received any counseling together, they claimed Brad is seeing an individual counselor and that “all the children are in therapy” as well – with some seeing multiple therapists who may overlap.
As previously reported, Brad had his first supervised visitation with some of the kids on Oct. 8 – prior to that, he had not seen them since he and Angelina separated. On Oct. 19, there was another visit during which Maddox was present for the first time, the source claimed.
According to the source, however, the second visit “did not go well” and “Maddox was still really upset.”
There are two paths that the DCFS can follow from here, the source said. They can either recommend a family court hearing known as a “juvenile reference,” or they can make long term recommendations before stepping aside to leave the family and attorneys to make decisions.
If the trial option is taken, a trial would be set within 60-90 days, the source said.
As for reports that Brad has turned to Angelina’s estranged father, Jon Voight, for support, the source told Access that is doubtful.
Additionally, the source refuted rumors that Angelina’s eating habits are suffering under the stress, telling Access that she’s been drinking “healthy juices” to “stay physically strong” and “guard her health.”
The Oscar winner is “focused on trying to make sure the kids are getting the right care. She is not doing anything other than making sure the kids are getting exactly what they need,” the source said.
Angelina filed for divorce in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting physical custody. According to the source, Brad is expected to respond to the petition.
The former couple has yet to list their assets for the legal proceedings, but the source said Angelina has “no head” to sell Chateau Miraval or any of their other properties.
Access has reached out to Brad and Angelina’s reps for comment.
— Erin Biglow