Brad Pitt is reportedly being investigated for child abuse after multiple sources accused him of becoming physically and verbally abusive toward one of his children on a private jet, TMZ and People report. Though the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services could not officially confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, sources told TMZ that the department is indeed looking into an incident in which the actor allegedly screamed at and got “physical†with the child, with Angelina Jolie and the couple’s other children as witnesses. According to TMZ, Pitt was drunk and “out of control†at the time of the disturbance, which reportedly took place on September 14, the day before the date Jolie listed for the couple’s separation in her divorce filing. The LAPD has denied it is investigating the situation, though TMZ says that’s because the department’s Abused Child Unit referred the case to the FBI for jurisdictional reasons having to do with the fact that the incident occurred on a plane. A source close to Pitt tells People the actor “takes the matter very seriously and says he did not commit any abuse of his children.â€
Update: According to the FBI, while no official investigation of Pitt has been launched so far, the bureau is still actively considering whether one will occur. The FBI told Variety: “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.â€