Rumer Willis Alleges Emotional Abuse by Ex in Ongoing Custody Dispute

Rumer Willis has escalated her custody fight with Derek Richard Thomas, filing new court documents that detail allegations of emotional abuse spanning their relationship.

The 37-year-old performer and her ex have been locked in a custody dispute for nearly a year concerning their three-year-old daughter, Louetta. The conflict intensified after Thomas sought a child custody and visitation order last July.

In her latest filing, Willis characterizes Thomas's conduct as a "persistent pattern" of "insane emotional abuse" that began before their 2024 breakup. She describes prolonged verbal attacks that she says lasted over six hours daily, characterizing his behavior as "erratic and bizarre" and intensifying following their daughter's birth.

Willis asserts that Thomas engaged in "ongoing coercive control through prolonged circular verbal attacks that he is unable or unwilling to stop." She further claims this behavior frequently occurred in front of their child or while confined in a vehicle with him.

"I was constantly trying to keep the peace and walk on eggshells," Willis stated in the court documents. "He wanted to isolate me from my friends and family. He constantly called me a liar with no reason behind it. He told me I was a bad girlfriend all the time."

The filing also references what Willis characterizes as paranoid behavior, with Thomas allegedly claiming that Willis and her mother, Demi Moore, were "plotting" to remove their daughter from his care.

"For a long time, it was difficult for me to stand up to [Thomas] as I tried to avoid his emotional tirades and abuse even for a long time after he moved out," she wrote.

Willis is seeking primary physical custody and has expressed concerns about unsupervised visits, stating that Louetta has become "traumatized" and is "crying a lot." She has requested that any evaluation occur before overnight visits resume.

Thomas has rejected the abuse allegations. He contends that Willis initiated the custody request out of anger over their daughter's "clear affection" for his fiancée, Lizzie Loch. Willis has raised concerns about Loch's presence during his parenting time, citing what she describes as his "history of fighting in relationships, and in front of the child."

In his response, Thomas stated: "I have committed no acts of domestic violence in any form, including any active coercive control. [Our] relationship was unhealthy and appropriately came to an end, but it was not all characterized by any violence, physical or emotional attacks or intimidation on my part."

He characterized their separation as a mutual decision made in both their interests, acknowledging the relationship's dysfunction while maintaining that it was not marked by violence or intimidation.

Willis publicly announced the split in August 2024 and recently elaborated on the reasons behind ending the relationship.