We don’t gossip much about Christina Ricci. She was a child actor who managed to transition into a solid career as an adult, and she works consistently on a wide variety of film and TV projects. I don’t even remember the last time we even had cause to talk about her, good or bad, and I didn’t remember that she was married. Ricci married James Heerdegen in 2013, and they have a five-year-old son named Freddie. Christina just got an emergency protective order against James.
Christina Ricci was granted an emergency protective order against her husband, James Heerdegen, Us Weekly can exclusively reveal.
After the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call to the 40-year-old actress’ Woodland Hills, California, home on June 25, Ricci was granted an emergency protective order against Heerdegen, prohibiting any contact between the spouses. The film producer was not arrested.
“On 06/25/20, around 9:20 a.m., officers responded to a domestic battery radio call,” the LAPD PIO confirmed to Us, adding “a report was completed.”
Ricci and Heerdegen, who share 5-year-old son Freddie, met on the set of the short-lived ABC series Pan Am in 2011 but didn’t start dating until the following year. Us broke the news of their engagement in 2013.
As I was looking through the photos of Ricci and Heerdegen, I was struck by the difference in their sizes. I know that domestic violence isn’t about size and strength, but it just stuck out to me. And it’s terrible that she likely called the cops, reported the crime of domestic violence and that he still wasn’t f–king arrested. At least the court gave her an emergency protective order. I hope that she’s ok and that she has a lot of support from family and friends.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
I hope she and her child remain safe.
that pan am show was good!
This breaks my heart. I hope that she and her son can move forward quickly
I hope she is safe.
Look at his body language and facial expressions. Tool.
Totally. And a nastily possessive one, at that.
he does look like a tool. He looks like he could be friends with Djokovich. Both give equal douch vibes.
I agree. I don’t know why I’m startled every time I hear or read a story like this; you’d think I’d be used to them by now. I’m always trying to fathom just how many men (yes, some women, too) are like this. It’s so disheartening.
Having lived through spousal abuse it just breaks my heart to read this. Since Christina played Wednesday Aadams, I’ve always had a soft spot for her and I hope that she heals from this horrible event.
I like her too. What does it mean that he wasn’t arrested? What does it mean that she was granted a protection order? Is it likely that there was no evidence of violence on the night? Would she have needed to produce evidence to get the protection order?
It varies by state, but if he was not arrested, that means she declined to provide a statement to the police. No complaining witness, no arrest. Victims often change their minds between the call and police arriving.
Generally speaking, you do not need substantive evidence to get a TRO – but that is because TROs are temporary, they aren’t meant to last forever. Generally, a victim’s contention that he or she needs it will often be enough for a judge, but that’s because it is basically created as a “cool down” that allows the parties time apart. If she wanted to make it permanent, that is a much higher bar, and would require a hearing with evidence presented that he poses an ongoing risk to her.
Thank you
She was granted an emergency protective order, which usually requires little evidence. there is generally a follow up hearing to determine whether it will become permanent or for a longer period, and that will require more evidence
Thank you
He likely wasn’t arrested because she declined the complaint.
This is common. A lot of victims don’t want anybody arrested, but calling the cops creates a record of complaint. That bolsters the case for a protective order. If a victim declines to file a formal complaint, police are often not allowed to arrest, especially if there is no physical evidence of assault. The laws vary by state, but in many, if a person has visible injuries, no complaint is necessary. But if there aren’t, a victim statement is generally necessary. It is a very messy thing and victims often change their minds very quickly. It is also possible that she wants it addressed in a non-criminal manner rather than a criminal one. I try to not judge people for those decisions.
I’m so sorry to hear she’s going through this. I hope she has a lot of support, and stays safe with their child.
Noone messes with Wednesday Adams. I hope and her child are safe. It has to be even more difficult with this being public knowledge.
Domestic violence victims often want the abuse to stop but no charges to brought against their abuser. There are a number of reasons for it but the number one is they are scared. They are often the most in danger when they leave. My mom is a survivor of domestic violence & her abuser stalked her to the day he died. He stalked both my sister & myself. Add charges to that & it adds to the danger you’re in.
I met her a few summers ago. She was lovely and open and a very thoughtful and committed mother. She was also really concerned about the press invasion of her privacy, so I know this situation and the publicity around it must be very painful for her. I hope that she has the support she needs.