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Brad Pitt Voluntarily Submits Drug Test Amid Ongoing Child Abuse Investigation

The procedure is considered "very standard" by the Department of Child and Family Services, according to People.
Actor Brad Pitt poses at the premiere of
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
Actor Brad Pitt poses at the premiere of
Actor Brad Pitt poses at the premiere of
Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
Actor Brad Pitt poses at the premiere of

Brad Pitt has voluntarily completed drug testing for the Department of Children and Family Services, People confirmed Wednesday.

The actor is currently being investigated by the LA County DCFS as part of an ongoing investigation regarding an alleged incident involving child abuse. The outlet confirmed with DCFS that it is “very standard” for parents involved in an abuse investigation to undergo drug testing.

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

According to TMZ, who first reported the incident, the actor reportedly became “verbally abusive and physical”with Maddox, 15, while on the family’s private plane, which prompted Angelina Jolie to immediately file for divorce. Pitt’s parenting techniques and consumption of marijuana and alcohol also reportedly factored into the incident and subsequent divorce filing.

While a source confirmed to People that Pitt is “cooperating fully” with the ongoing DCFS case, it’s unclear if the FBI will continue with its ongoing investigation of the actor. Since the alleged incident of child abuse occurred in the air, the FBI has jurisdiction. Calls to the FBI for comment were not returned.

In her divorce filings, Jolie requested full physical custody of the couple’s six children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox.

“This decision was made for the health of the family,” attorney Robert Offer said on behalf of Jolie at the time, in a statement to Reuters. “She will not be commenting and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time.”

Pitt released a statement to People after news of the split, writing, “I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.”

The Huffington Post has reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services as well as reps for Pitt and Jolie and will update this post accordingly.

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