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LAPD: Brad Pitt Not Under Investigation For Child Abuse Allegations

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)   —   Police are not actively investigating actor Brad Pitt for alleged child abuse despite reports to the contrary, the LAPD said Thursday.

A spokesperson for LAPD's juvenile division says police are not investigating any type of report involving Pitt or his kids.

"LAPD is not handling any reports or allegations of child abuse against Mr. Brad Pitt," LAPD spokeswoman Jenny Hauser said.

TMZ reported early Thursday the LAPD and county Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for alleged verbal and physical abuse against his children with estranged wife Angelina Jolie.

Jolie announced Wednesday she filed for divorce from Pitt after 2 years of marriage "for the health of the family".

TMZ's Harvey Levin told KNX 1070 that although the LAPD says they're not investigating any allegations against Pitt, he believes DCFS referred the case to police.

"I don't know the status of LAPD, I am told the children's services always refers over to them when it is a child abuse allegation," said Levin. "I don't know the status, but I'm told it was done."

According to Levin, Pitt has acknowledged that "some incident" had occurred but that no abuse was committed.

Levin told CBS2, "What the allegation is, is that Brad was drinking and possibly smoking weed, and went nuts on the plane and that Brad then verbally and physically abused the children."

He said it was this incident that led to Jolie deciding to end her marriage.

DCFS spokesman Armand Montiel told CBS2, "State law does not allow for us to confirm or deny the subjects are under investigation."

This is the second marriage for Pitt, 52, who previously wed Jennifer Aniston. It's the third for Jolie, who was previously married to Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.

KCAL9's Amy Johnson quoted a New York Post story that quoted a source saying he "never" was physically abusive to her or the kids. He did acknowledge yelling at the child but said it never got physical.

Said Levin, "Anglina begs to differ."

Since the alleged incident happened in the air, the FBI would also have possible jurisdiction. The bureau's LA field office issued the following statement to the media Thursday evening.

"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."

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