A Los Angeles court has granted director Kyle Newman sole physical custody of his two sons with actress Jaime King, following a lengthy custody battle marked by serious allegations.
The court ruling also restricts King from being alone with the children—James Knight, 11, and Leo Thames, 9—until she completes a mandated six-month drug and alcohol programme.
Leo, whose godmother is global music star Taylor Swift, is at the centre of the order alongside his older brother. Swift was named godmother to Leo in 2015 and played a supportive role when he underwent heart surgery as a newborn.
Photo: Instagram
According to court documents reviewed by People, Newman now holds sole physical custody and has final say over legal decisions for the children, while joint custody remains in name only. King’s visits will be supervised by approved individuals, including her mother, sister, and Newman’s brother.
The court ruling follows years of legal wrangling that began in 2020 when King filed for divorce. In recent filings, Newman accused King of long-term substance abuse, claiming it impacted her ability to care for the children. He alleged that Leo was born with a congenital heart defect and that doctors believed prenatal drug exposure played a role.
Newman told the court King had driven under the influence with the children and once left Leo at a doctor’s appointment while she was found purchasing alcohol across the street. King has denied some of these claims in past filings, stating she passed court-ordered drug tests.
The court’s decision adds a new chapter to the ongoing custody conflict. King’s legal team recently requested adjustments to child and spousal support terms, citing inability to pay, while Newman argued she had failed to comply with court orders for over a year.
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