1 of 3 | Singer Madonna and her now ex-husband director Guy Ritchie arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film "I Am Because We Are" during the 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2008. The couple divorced in 2008. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI |
License Photo
NEW YORK, March 3 (UPI) -- A New York judge has ordered singer Madonna and ex-husband, actor Guy Ritchie to come to a peaceful solution amid a bitter public custody battle over their son, Rocco Ritchie.
The two were not present in court physically Tuesday but were connected via conference call in order to hear Judge Deborah Kaplan say their 15-year-old son should remain in London for the time being. The Rebel Heart Tour frontwoman called in from New Zealand, with Ritchie phoning in from London.
Neither Madonna nor Ritchie spoke during the hearing except to confirm their identities.
"No one is disrupting this household. The child is in school; let us try to allow him to go forward in the most normal way. We're not forcing the child to leave school. His mother isn't asking that," Kaplan said.
The Judge scolded the ex-couple during the court hearing, advising them to find a peaceful solution for the sake of their son, who reportedly desires more private dealings.
"Frankly, both parties have chosen to live their lives in a very public way and may welcome the publicity, but the child has not," Kaplan said. "He would like this matter resolved and the issues concerning him and his family in the most private way possible."
Ritchie has reportedly enrolled in school in London near his father; the school was approved by both Guy Ritchie and Madonna, according to Us Weekly. The Judge decided to allow the teen to remain with his father in London instead of coming back to New York.
The issue began when Rocco decidedly remained in London after visiting his father for the holidays. Madonna, amidst her Rebel Heart world tour, called for his return ahead of the school year at no avail despite a court order.
