Christina Ricci is accusing her ex-husband, James Heerdegen, of being “vindictive” for allegedly not allowing their 8-year-old son, Freddie, to go on a work trip to New York City with her.
In court documents obtained by Pvnew, the “Casper” actress, 43, claimed the film producer — identified as “Jimmy” in the filing — initially agreed to let her take their child on the mother-son getaway, but later changed his mind.
“Jimmy’s refusal to agree causes me concern, because he clearly was being vindictive and retaliatory when he initially refused my request to travel for the additional dates,” Ricci stated in the court docs filed June 20.
“As recently as Monday, June 19, 2023, Jimmy was agreeable to allowing Freddie to travel with me, but apparently he still wants to wait until our hearing to discuss it.”
Ricci provided screenshots of text messages that showed Heerdegen allegedly wrote that he “didn’t have a problem” with their son traveling with her for a “couple of days.”
However, he allegedly then texted on June 19 that he and the “Monster” star had a “number of pending matters” that they needed to address in a court date on June 21.
Ricci said she is concerned that if the hearing doesn’t go Heerdegen’s way, he will “renege.” The “Addams Family” star is seeking an emergency hearing.
She also claimed her ex is “purposefully” making her “incur attorneys’ fees unnecessarily,” which could have an impact on her “employment and professional reputation.”
“I also ask that the court consider retaliatory litigation conduct when making custody orders,” Ricci added, per the documents. “This is the second ex parte that I have had to file requesting that I be permitted to travel with Freddie for work.”
The Emmy nominee alleged that the first ex parte, which is an order that does not give the opposing parties the usual amount of notice, was filed at the end of January when her ex “reneged on his agreement to allow Freddie to travel with [her] for work in Canada.”
Ricci claimed he “retaliated” against her by “filing his own ex parte requesting that the court eliminate [her] tie-breaking authority on education.”
“Jimmy seems to be more focused on harassing and punishing me than on Freddie’s best
interests,” she alleged. Pvnew has reached out to Heerdegen’s reps for comment.
In the summer of 2020, Ricci filed for divorce from Heerdegen after nearly seven years of marriage following an alleged domestic battery incident.
Months later, the cinematographer requested a temporary restraining order against the actress, but it was denied.
In April 2021, the exes reached an agreement on custody of their son. At the time, Freddie lived with the “Yellowjackets” star in Vancouver, Canada, while she filmed a project.
Heerdegen was given visitation rights and Ricci agreed to pay his “reasonable costs for travel and accommodations,” which included “economy airfare.”
After the former couple finalized their divorce last December, they agreed to share custody of Freddie with Ricci having deciding power over his education, which she pays, and his medical care.
In October 2021, the actress tied the knot with Mark Hampton. They welcomed a daughter named Cleo just two months later.
