Much-loved television star, Kelly Rutherford, has been dealt a devastating blow today after a judge ruled that the state of California does not have jurisdiction over her custody case.

The news follows an emotional testimony in an LA courtroom two weeks ago which saw the Gossip Girl star, who currently lives in New York, appeal for custody of her two children, Hermes and Helena.

According to PEOPLE, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Mark Juhas, reached a decision, writing: "The Court does not believe that it is obligated to relinquish jurisdiction to Monaco, only that it acknowledge that it no longer has jurisdiction over the children."

The decision was based on the fact the children's mother no longer lives in California while their father is based in Europe.

While the 46-year-old actress can no longer fight for custody of her children in the state of California, she doesn't intend to end her legal battle which she began after a 2012 ruling which stated the children could remain in Europe with their father.
 


Speaking to the New York Daily News, the star's lawyer, David Glass, said: "We are extremely disappointed. This court set up the current situation whereby my client was forced to live bi-coastally, but now, the court appears to be holding it against her."

Elaborating further, he continued: "Likewise, the court created the situation whereby the children would lose their connections to California, and despite the judgment's language precluding the passage of time from creating new jurisdiction, that is exactly what has happened."

As it stands, Kelly's children, aged six and eight, live with their father, German businessman Daniel Giersch, in Monaco, but are currently spending their summer in the United States with their mother.

Kelly has been fighting for three years to regain custody of the children she shares with her ex-husband.

86 Shares

Latest

Trending