Christina Ricci’s Ex Denied Emergency Custody After Son’s Texts

Christina Ricci’s ex-husband, James Heerdegen, was denied emergency custody of their 11-year-old son, Freddie.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Heerdegen, 43, filed an ex parte request for order following an alleged incident that occurred earlier this month.

Ricci, 46, was traveling with her son to Canada for work on June 16 when Heerdegen claimed that he received text messages from Freddie telling his dad that she consumed alcohol while on the flight. Freddie used “certain words to describe the manner” in which his mom drank and her behavior after the alleged consumption. (Ricci has been candid in the past about using alcohol to cope with the pressure of achieving fame as a child star.)

One day after sending the texts, Freddie told his father’s lawyers that he “overreacted” in the messages. Freddie claimed that his mother’s behavior was not as he initially described it, and he has “no fear” to be in her primary physical custody.

Christina Ricci Says Ex James Heerdegen Didn’t Allow Son to Join Her on Trip

Ricci requested that the messages be sealed to protect Freddie’s privacy as he allegedly experienced bullying from former classmates in the past and has attended therapy. Freddie is gearing up to start at a new school, and Ricci argued that if the messages were made public Freddie could experience bullying again which could affect his mental health.

The judge agreed to seal documents and ultimately denied Heerdegen’s request on Tuesday, June 23.

Us has reached out to Ricci’s spokesperson for comment.

Ricci and Heerdegen tied the knot in October 2013 and welcomed Freddie the following year. In June 2020, Us reported that Ricci was granted a protective order against Heerdegen after the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a domestic battery call at the pair’s home. Heerdegen, who denied the abuse allegations, was not arrested but the order prohibited Ricci and Heerdegen from contacting one another.

The following month, Ricci filed for divorce from Heerdegen after seven years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in December 2022. The exes agreed to share legal custody of Freddie, but the Yellowjackets actress has final say on her son’s education and medical care. Heerdegen also received a one time payment of $189,687 from Ricci.

Christina Ricci Says Ex James Heerdegen ‘Wouldn’t Help’ When Son Was a Baby

Amid her split from Heerdegen, Ricci fell in love with current husband Mark Hampton. The couple wed in October 2021 and welcomed daughter Cleopatra two months later.

When Ricci received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year, she gave Hampton and her two kids a special shout-out in her speech.

“I want to thank my family,” the Adams Family star said in March 2025. “Mark, you’re the most supportive and loving husband. Freddie, you made me feel so much love the day you were born and reconnected me to art, passion and ambition. And Cleo, my gorgeous little baby girl, I love you so much. I’m inspired by all your strength, courage and spirit. She’s really spirited!”