Sandra Bullock Battles for Custody of Kids

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 4th 2009 05:21PM

Actress Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James are facing a fierce custody battle with James' ex-wife Janine Lindemulder. Although Bullock has been helping her husband raise his 5-year-old daughter Sunny while Lindemulder was in prison for tax evasion, the mother is fighting to get her daughter back, claiming Bullock is her biggest obstacle. "What would give her the right to take away my daughter? You know, this is my daughter. I am the best mother I can be," Lindemulder said on 'Good Morning America'.

Although Lindemulder was set to regain custody after completing her prison sentence, James went before a judge to determine whether she was a fit mother. According to a court declaration, James asked that Lindemulder prove that she could provide a safe environment for their child that included keeping her away from pornographers, drug addicts, guns and firearms, felons and other unsafe environments. Bullock and James have called Lindemulder and her new husband, also a convicted felon, unfit.

Lindemulder, who has appeared in more than 100 adult films, is perhaps best known because of her association with the punk band Blink 182. She graced the cover of its 1999 album 'Enema of the State' and appeared in two of the band's videos.

In an October 13 letter to the judge presiding over the case obtained by CNN, Lindemulder wrote that she hoped to see her daughter every Saturday, and be more informed of her child's out-of-state travel and any changes in her education. "My daughter and I are both very eager to get back to a normal, healthy, loving life," she wrote.

The court granted Lindemulder visitation rights on Sundays, according to court documents, as long as she kept her daughter away from her new husband -- felon Jeremy Aikman -- and did not consume any drugs or alcohol.

James found himself back in court October 29, saying that Lindemulder violated that October 13 order to ensure Sunny had zero contact with her new spouse, according to Access Hollywood.

To prove that her maternal instincts are sound, Lindemulder is taking her case to the court of public opinion.

In a letter to the judge at Lindemulder's sentencing, Bullock raised concerns about the girl's safety, alleging that the child was left alone during the day while Lindemulder was "asleep from drug use."

"I myself have stopped working like I used to in order to be here with Jesse and the kids because we are on constant high alert," Bullock wrote, "never knowing what condition Janine will be in, and even more concerning, the condition [the girl] will be in."

Lindemulder, 40, has admitted to substance abuse in the past but said there have been long stretches of time when she hasn't used any drugs. She acknowledged making "horrific choices in the past" but says her life is back on track and that she deserves to keep custody of her daughter. "Sandy doesn't know what goes on in my house," she said. "I'd love for her to. Please come over, you know, I'll make dinner, you know, let's sit down, [as] two women."

James, via his attorney, has responded to Lindemulder's claims against Bullock, telling PEOPLE: "Sandra Bullock is not a party to this litigation ... Mr. James's sole concern is for the safety, welfare and best interests of his daughter. The proper forum to resolve this case is in the courtroom."

In her letter, Bullock also defends her motive for wanting sole custody and denies the assertion that it is rooted in her inability to have children. "I am aware that Janine has claimed many times that my desire to have [the girl], was because I could not have children of my own," Bullock said, adding, "that couldn't be farther from the truth."

"I know the term 'stepmother' carries many connotations, one of them being 'glorified babysitter,'" Bullock wrote. "My commitment and responsibility to [the girl] ... goes beyond that."

Lindemulder said, "I didn't say that. But I do believe the reason Sandra is so interested in Sunny ... she [thinks she] is saving Sunny from me, from her own mother. ...That's what I believe."

Before tying the knot with Bullock in 2004, James was married to Lindemulder for one year. He left Lindemulder when she was seven months pregnant with their daughter, her lawyer, Ron Hoevet, told the Orange County Register.

Tags: jesse james, JesseJames, sandra bullock, SandraBullock

Comments

(397)

Thursday 05 November

By Bizyfe

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The article doesn't say how long (the girl) has lived with her dad and Ms. Bullock, but she's only 5, and any length of time is enough to feel ripped away if one is forced to leave. So, how about the birth mom begin having visits, overnights, with the time she has her getting longer and longer over the next year or two, which will also able her to prove she can keep sober and clean and provide an adequate home for her child? Also require random drug testing of her and any persons in her home that will be in frequent contact with Sonny during that time. Give her a chance to succeed or to fail on her own merit.

By Michael

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Pasts can come back to haunt, especially when the issues are beyond just her keeping her daughter away from pornstars...

I applaud Jesse James and Sandra for their concern for his daughter.

By dan

Kate Gosselin is a worse mother than Janine, so she munched some box on screen a bunch of times (and I jerked off to her a bunch of times), that doesn't mean that she is not a fit mother. If I looked like her, I would being doing porn, much rather be munching on another hot girl than working 2 jobs to survive.

By hilaire

If the real Mother loves her kids, she should give them up to an decent inviroment. The children will grow up and will be the judge. In the mean time let them experiance a moraly better home.

By Wazzy

Just because you can pop the kids out doesn't mean you're the best person to raise them - Speaking as a recovering alcoholic - I knew my responsibility as a parent was a much higher priority than drinking - and I was able to quit - At first for my kid - and eventually for myself - Do what you want - Make porns - drink exsessively - do drugs - sleep around - but give it up when you have kids - and understand - We're not raising kids - we're raising future adults who will mimic the behaviors they see in us

By Sue

That by no means is a real mother. You don't set that kind of example for your children and expect not to be considered unfit. She's a loser.

By Bullock the hypocirte

Sandra got her career started with nudity so her criticising this other woman for the same thing is total hypocrisy.

By Melicious625

Actually,
Sandra has only appeared partially nude in 2-3 of her movies. Her issue with the bio mom is not that she is a porn star. Her issue is that the enviroment is NOT good for a child. See the difference of being an actress and a porn star is; actress'es pretend during their love scenes, porn stars get paid to have sex. Great example of a mom. Not to mention she is a criminal, or has a felon living with her.

By Scout

Did you read the article that stated that the mother left the poor little child in the home alone to fend for herself due to a drug or alcohol induced sleep
that she was in. That is neglect plain and simple.
If you were the little girl, wouldn't you want someone to rescue you?

By Hal

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Janine is way better in her movies than Sandra is in hers.

By tara

Doing her time and being a fit parent are two very different situations.

What I find interesting about this whole story is that it never states how this woman plans to make a living, now that she's "done her time" and "turned her life around." Is she still a porn star? Does she have any skills besides being paid to have sex (either on camera or off) to earn an honest living?

There are many things that bring into question her ability to be a good mother to this little girl, but it starts with her profession (sex), then her hobbies (drugs), and finally her recent living situation (prison). None make her look like a "good mother" to me. Plus the fact that she seems to talk about this child like she's a piece of property. The comments from Sandra Bullock and Jesse James are all centered around the child, and what's best for the child. The comments from Janine Lindemulder were all about Janine Lindemulder....all about "her" right to get "her" child back - not about how her CHILD would benefit by being in her home.

I hope the judge looks at this case long and hard before making a decision. From where I stand, it seems like the home she's been living in is far more stable and safe than the one her "mother" is willing to provide for her.

By Tricia

Mind your own business, Sandra and Jesse! Give this mom a chance to make a new start with HER child!!

Are you serious? Mind their own business? Last time I checked, father's do have a right to say how their children are being raised. Makes me wonder what kind of parenting style you have if you think they should had this child over to a junkie porn star, and just mind their own business?!?!

By Jackie W

I see a lot of you making your comments about Jesse James and his marriage to this woman it seems like you don't know anything. Jesse married her and was over the moon when he found out she was pregnant then she started to go nuts she attacked him with a knife etc..thats why he left her at 7 months pregnant.he was very much involved with his daughters life just like he is with all his children. The man built a motorcycle empire from the ground up. By the way he is not a hollywood jackoff he has nothing to do with hollywood. The only reason this is in the news is because he married an actress. As far Janine goes..just because you give birth to a child does not make you a mother..a mother is someone who gives everything for their child and wants the best for the child. How much could she possibly care about this kid if she was messed up on drugs and in prison?a REAL mother would have changed her lifestyle to be suitable for her child. I hope Jesse and Sandra get full custody..at least until this woman can prove she can be a fit mother and not just someone who wants to use this situation to get her face on good morning america

By TH

Hey...give her a job in the NFL..she could be the blow girl or something...everyone deserves a second chance right??? Ask Mike VICK...

By clee

The only reason she even wants this little girl
is probably the large child support payment Jessie
will have to pay her. She doesn't have to work!!

By xanthia

Look at the big picture. THE woman has moral issues and should have to prove her daughter will not be put through that stuff.Childrens Protection removing the child later after the damage is done? poor choice for the little girl.

By bill

The question I have without reading all the comments is why in the world Bullock would be involved with this man. When you get involved with someone whose ex is what this woman is and WAS (when she was married to him) you have to wonder about Bullock's judgment. This guy is pretty stained by the ex wife. Bullock, what are you thinking?

By Lilly

Sandra should adopt a child of her own if she wants a child that bad . I think she said she could not have children , thats no excuse to steal others!!! Otherwise the parents should have some sort of joint custody I am sure the child is already screwed up over the divorce and needs all parents involved at all times !!!!Im sure Jesse is no role model either !!!

By Helen Hughes

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Karen:
I not only have three children of my own but also a stepdaughter whom I definately DEFINATELY love JUST AS MUCH AS MY BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN. People like you shouldn't adopt or marry someone with children from a previous marraige BECAUSE you think like you do. CHILDREN are CHILDREN, whether you give birth or not, each and every child deserves unconditional love and a chance to be their own person, loved for their own reasons.

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