Rumer Willis Files Emergency Custody Order, Claims Ex Derek Richard Thomas Violates Their Agreement and ‘Endangers’ Daughter

Rumer Willis has initiated legal proceedings to secure emergency custody arrangements regarding her three-year-old daughter, Louetta, whom she shares with ex-partner Derek Richard Thomas. The actress, aged 38, has requested a continuation of supervised visitations for Thomas, alleging that he has repeatedly violated existing custody agreements and exhibited poor judgement, creating potential risks for their child.

Legal documents obtained by PEOPLE indicate that Willis is seeking a judicial order to ensure Thomas’ visitation remains under supervision. She cites concerns regarding Thomas’s behaviour, arguing that it endangers their daughter. The request stems from a court order from June 9, 2026, intended to govern visitation rights, positioning Thomas for unmonitored overnight visits beginning late August.

The court filings detail Willis’s claims that Thomas has consistently disregarded the stipulated visitation guidelines, leading to potential risks for Louetta. In her application, she stressed: “The request herein is that the Court continue supervised visits and no overnights until a hearing is held on the matter.” A representative from Willis’s camp did not immediately provide a comment when approached by PEOPLE.

Conversely, Thomas’ attorney, Mike Kretzmer, vehemently refuted Willis’s allegations, asserting that they are unfounded. He stated, “The Court has previously ordered that Mr. Thomas have unmonitored, overnight visits. In a desperate attempt to avoid compliance… Ms. Willis filed a reckless and demonstrably false pleading with the Court.” This accusation underscores the ongoing tensions between the former couple as they navigate their custody arrangement.

Kretzmer further claimed that Willis has obstructed Thomas’s access to Louetta, alleging she has relocated to Nashville without the appropriate court approval. He suggested that this move contravenes existing custody arrangements and reflects a broader pattern of behaviour aimed at undermining Thomas’s parental rights.

In response to Willis’s claims regarding his alleged substance abuse, Thomas presented a robust defence. He categorically rejected the assertions of drug use, stressing his commitment to their daughter’s wellbeing. In a prior court filing, Willis had suggested that Thomas was incapable of caring for Louetta under the influence of marijuana, but Thomas maintained that he has never engaged in any behaviour that would put his child’s safety at risk.

Further developments in the custody battle reveal that the couple has faced significant conflicts since Thomas first sought custody rights in July 2025. He maintains that Willis has actively worked to obstruct his attempts to establish a relationship with Louetta, complicating their co-parenting efforts.

Recent court submissions illustrate Thomas’s concerns about supposed manipulation on Willis’s part regarding their visitation arrangements. In particular, he described an episode where Willis allegedly attempted to leverage the cancellation of supervision in exchange for her desired presence at his upcoming wedding.

Ongoing disputes surrounding the individuals chosen to supervise visitations have also arisen, with Thomas reporting incidents of tension and intervention from law enforcement during his time with Louetta. He recounted an occasion when Willis brought police to his residence, asserting that it interfered with their custody arrangement without valid justification.

Thomas now awaits a hearing that will address these extensive claims from both parties. With the next court date set for September 10th, he has urged the court to maintain the current custody order and to provide him the opportunity to enjoy a more substantial role in his daughter’s life.

At this stage, it remains unclear how the situation will unfold as both parents seek to resolve their differences amid a highly publicised custody battle. The ongoing contention highlights the complexities involved in navigating parental relationships post-separation, particularly in the glare of media attention.