‘The children were not abducted’: Joe Jonas’ lawyer responds to Sophie Turner lawsuit

A representative for Joe Jonas has said that the couple’s children “were not abducted” and labelled the lawsuit filed by Sophie Turner as “misleading”

Court papers filed today in Manhattan outline how Sophie wishes to be allowed to bring the estranged couple’s daughters, aged three and one, to their “forever home” in England.

Sophie cites in the lawsuit the International Child Abduction Remedies Act and states that their children are being “wrongfully retained” in New York City beginning yesterday, Wednesday 20th September.

The lawsuit also further claims that Joe is currently withholding the children’s passports so that they cannot return to England with their mother.

However, Joe’s representative has said that the Florida Court Order for their divorce “restricts both parents from relocating the children” and that if Joe were to hand over their passports he would be in breach of this order.

They said: “Sophie advised that she wanted to take the children permanently to the UK.

“Thereafter, she demanded via this filing that Joe hand over the children’s passports so that she could take them out of the country immediately. If he complies, Joe will be in violation of the Florida Court order.

The lawyer also disputed claims that Sophie only found out about the divorce “from the media” stressing that the couple had had “multiple conversations” before Joe initiated proceedings in Florida.

Joe Jonas filed for divorce earlier this month after four years of marriage. The pair met back in 2016 when mutual friends encouraged them to connect through Instagram.

The full statement made to The Tab by Joe Jonas’ representative is as follows: “After multiple conversations with Sophie, Joe initiated divorce proceedings in Florida, as Florida is the appropriate jurisdiction for the case. Sophie was aware that Joe was going to file for divorce. The Florida Court has already entered an order that restricts both parents from relocating the children. Sophie was served with this order on September 6th 2023, more than two weeks ago.

“Joe and Sophie had a cordial meeting this past Sunday in New York, when Sophie came to New York to be with the kids. They have been with her since that meeting. Joe’s impression of the meeting was that they had reached an understanding that they would work together towards an amicable co-parenting setup.

“Less than 24 hours later, Sophie advised that she wanted to take the children permanently to the UK. Thereafter, she demanded via this filing that Joe hand over the children’s passports so that she could take them out of the country immediately. If he complies, Joe will be in violation of the Florida Court order.

“Joe is seeking shared parenting with the kids so that they are raised by both their mother and father, and is of course also okay with the kids being raised both in the U.S. and the UK. The children were born in the U.S. and have spent the vast majority of their lives in the U.S. They are American citizens.

“This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending. When language like “abduction” is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst. The children were not abducted. After being in Joe’s care for the past three months at the agreement of both parties, the children are currently with their mother. Sophie is making this claim only to move the divorce proceedings to the UK and to remove the children from the U.S. permanently.

“Joe has already disavowed any and all statements purportedly made on his behalf that were disparaging of Sophie. They were made without his approval and are not consistent with his views. His wish is that Sophie reconsider her harsh legal position and move forward in a more constructive and private manner. His only concern is the well-being of his children.”

The Tab has contacted Sophie Turner’s representative for comment.

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• A full rundown of the Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner divorce drama, because I need a minute

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