Rumer Willis Accuses Ex Derek Richard Thomas of Emotional Abuse in Custody Battle

Rumer Willis is speaking out in court documents as she fights for custody of her 3-year-old daughter, Louetta, with ex Derek Richard Thomas.
The 37-year-old actress, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, has accused Thomas, 30, of emotional abuse and says the behavior affected both her and their child.
According to filings reported in court documents obtained by People, Willis says Thomas showed a "persistent pattern" of what she called "insane emotional abuse" that began before their breakup in 2024. She also claimed the behavior often happened "in front of the minor child or while they were trapped in the car with him."
Willis, who is asking for primary physical custody, described what she called ongoing "coercive control" through long verbal arguments.
"He engaged in this type of attack for over six hours at a time on what became a daily basis," she said in the filing. She further claimed she felt trapped in the relationship, saying, "I was constantly trying to keep the peace and walk on eggshells."
Willis alleged Thomas tried to isolate her from friends and family and often called her a liar and a "bad girlfriend."
Rumer Willis is making serious allegations in a heated custody battle with ex Derek Richard Thomas over their daughter, Louetta. The actress claims in new court filings that the child’s father engaged in a “persistent pattern” of emotional abuse: https://t.co/ojvbH5e5LN pic.twitter.com/DwXWpZW2m3
— OK! Magazine USA (@OKMagazine) May 28, 2026
Derek Richard Thomas Denies Abuse Claims
In the documents, Willis also said Thomas showed paranoid behavior, including claims that she and her mother were plotting to take their daughter away from him. She added that the situation became worse after Louetta was born in April 2023.
Willis expressed concern about their daughter's well-being, saying the child was "traumatized" and "crying a lot." She is asking the court to block overnight visits unless a custody evaluation is completed. She also raised concerns about Thomas' fiancée being present during parenting time.
Thomas has denied the allegations. In his response, he said, "I have committed no acts of domestic violence in any form, including any active coercive control." He also said their relationship "was unhealthy and appropriately came to an end," but denied abuse or intimidation.
He pushed back on claims about drug use and said he is not a current marijuana user. Thomas also said their daughter "has never suffered for any want in my care" and denied any neglect or harm, Page Six reported.
Willis' mother, Demi Moore, supported her daughter's claims in a declaration, saying Thomas behaved aggressively during Louetta's birth and "ruined what should've been one of the happiest moments" of Willis' life.
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