Rumer Willis' ex accuses actress of blocking daughter access
Derek Richard Thomas accuses Rumer Willis, the actress, of blocking his access to their 3-year-old daughter, Louetta. In new court documents filed Thursday at Los Angeles Superior Court, Thomas claims Willis has "done everything in her power to interfere, block and frustrate" his relationship with their child amid a bitter custody dispute.
The filing marks the latest turn in a high-profile parenting battle involving the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Thomas' accusations challenge the custody framework established last year, when a judge granted Willis primary physical custody after she accused him of domestic violence. For more Hollywood legal drama, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Thomas filed a declaration Thursday alleging Rumer Willis is interfering with his parenting time with Louetta, 3.
- Willis was granted primary physical custody in June after accusing Thomas of "incessant domestic violence."
- Thomas denied Willis' drug abuse allegations and rejected claims that he endangered their daughter.
- The couple agreed to joint custody with supervised visits set to progress to unsupervised overnights.
- A representative for Willis did not immediately respond to Page Six's request for comment.
What did Rumer Willis' ex allege in the new court filing?
According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Thomas stated that Willis, 38, has actively prevented him from bonding with Louetta. He cited specific instances when the "Dancing With the Stars" alum allegedly blocked him from seeing their child.
Thomas also forcefully denied Willis' prior claims that he abused drugs while caring for Louetta. "I reject completely and without reservation Respondent's claims concerning my alleged abuse of drugs, any conduct on my part that endangers Louetta, and any failure at efforts to cooperate with her and to co-parent Louetta," he wrote in the declaration.
Why was Willis granted primary custody of Louetta?
Last June, Willis was granted primary physical custody after accusing Thomas of domestic violence. In documents filed in May, the "Sorority Row" actress alleged a "persistent pattern" of "insane emotional abuse" in front of their daughter.
She claimed Thomas engaged in "ongoing coercive control through prolonged circular verbal attacks" that lasted "over six hours at a time on what became a daily basis." Willis said she would "walk on eggshells" around him and that his behavior left Louetta "traumatized" and "crying a lot."
Demi Moore also supported her daughter's claims in court documents, alleging Thomas "appears to want to dictate and control Rumer's environment to his needs." Moore said she overheard Thomas "berate and angrily complain to Rumer" shortly after Louetta was born in 2023.
How has the custody arrangement evolved since last year?
Despite Willis receiving primary physical custody, the exes agreed to a custody evaluation and joint custody framework. Thomas was initially granted supervised visits every other weekend, with plans for those visits to transition into unsupervised overnight stays.
The court also ordered both parties to attend co-parenting counseling and communicate through a designated co-parenting platform. Thomas vehemently denied Willis' abuse allegations, claiming she threatened to "destroy" him on the day of Louetta's birth.
Where does the dispute stand now?
Thomas and Willis debuted their relationship in 2022 before splitting two years later. Their daughter Louetta was born in 2023. Willis recently documented her move from Los Angeles to Nashville on social media, adding another layer of complexity to co-parenting logistics.
With Thomas' latest filing and no immediate comment from Willis' camp, the custody fight appears far from settled. Both sides continue to present sharply conflicting accounts of their relationship and fitness as co-parents.