Brad Pitt Under Investigation For Alleged Child Abuse (Updated)

Brad Pitt is under investigation in
Los Angeles for alleged child abuse.

A source close to the Department of Children and Family Services told NBC
News there is an investigation following a report of alleged abuse involving
Pitt. The investigation was described by the source as routine. The source also
told NBC News that when allegations are made against a parent, that parent won’t have access to the children
until the department determines it is safe for the children to be around
the parent. 

Both
People and TMZ reported on Thursday morning that the actor is
being investigated for an incident that allegedly started out on a private
plane last Wednesday.

WATCH: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie: Did One ‘Drastic’ Incident Blow Their Marriage Apart?

Pitt allegedly became “verbally abusive” and
“physical” with his children on a flight he was on with the family,
according to TMZ’s report. People reported that the alleged
incident happened with just one of the couple’s kids while Jolie and the other children
were on the flight.

But, a source close to Pitt
told Access Hollywood that while the actor did get into an argument with Maddox, there was no physical
exchange. The source admitted, however, that there is a chance that Pitt was drinking on the
flight.

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According to TMZ’s sources,
Pitt is alleged to have gotten “wasted,” and “went wild,
screaming and getting physical with the kids,” the website wrote. The incident continued after the plane landed, and Pitt is alleged to have
attempted to leave in a fuel truck, according to TMZ.

Jolie separated from Pitt on September 15, and filed for divorce on Monday, per Jolie’s divorce filing.

Pitt is fully cooperating with
authorities and above all, Pitt is concerned for his children, the source close to the actor told Access
Hollywood.

While early reports on Thursday indicated that
DCFS and the Los Angeles Police Department were both investigating the alleged
incident, when contacted on Thursday, a spokesperson for the LAPD told Access
Hollywood they are not handling any reports or allegations into child abuse
related to Mr. Pitt. 

WATCH: Angelina Jolie: Will She Give Up Acting For Directing?

The alleged incident reportedly
happened on a flight from France to the U.S., per TMZ, which also reported the
plane landed in Minnesota. Due to the alleged incident happening in the air,
the case is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, TMZ
and People both reported.

“The FBI is aware of the media reports concerning Brad Pitt.
No complaint alleging criminal acts has been reported to the FBI in
Minnesota,” Kyle Loven, the Chief Division Counsel at the FBI Minneapolis
Division told Access Hollywood. “If the FBI receives information
pertaining to potential federal activity, the FBI will review the
information.”

Reps for the actors have not
responded to requests for comment from Access Hollywood on Thursday. A call
made to Child Protective Services was not immediately returned. DCFS Public
Affairs Director Armand Montiel told Access Hollywood on Thursday that the law
does not allow them to confirm or deny subjects of their investigations.

A source close to Pitt told
People, “He takes the matter very seriously and says he did not commit any abuse of his children.” The source
added, “It’s unfortunate that people involved are continuing to present
him in the worst possible light.”

A colleague of the estranged couple claimed to Access
Hollywood that there are no plans for visitation between Pitt and the children
right now, and none of the kids were asking to see him. The source also said
that Jolie and the kids are in Los Angeles, where they are home schooled. Jolie
does want her children to have a relationship with their dad, according to the
source.

Meanwhile, a source close to Pitt said the
actor is very anxious to see his children.

As previously reported on
Access Hollywood, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt on Monday, citing
irreconcilable differences. She has requested primary custody of the couple’s
six children.

— Access Hollywood Staff