Last week Rosie O’Donnell gave an interview to USA Today sort-of confirming the relationship troubles she was having with her long-time partner Kelli Carpenter. There had been rumors about Rosie and Kelli’s split for most of the year, but all a tearful Rosie would confirm was that: “We are working on our issues…Those are the only words I am ever going to say. Ever. And that is something that has been agreed upon by all parties. But everything’s fine and everybody’s good and we’re still both raising them together. We will both continue to parent them and we’re friendly and everything’s all right.” The same day, many sources reported that Kelli moved out several months ago, and is now living in Manhattan with their youngest child.

Then, Rosie appeared on Howard Stern‘s show on Monday. Her comments on Angelina Jolie were the most widely circulated, but Rosie also got a bit more specific about her relationship trouble with Kelli. Rosie said she and Kelli had “different styles of living” and that they had “come to a point where we are seeing [if] what will make everyone happiest is maybe to not live together, but continue to parent.” Rosie also told Howard: “Kelli and I have a lot of issues and sex wasn’t one of them.”

Now the Enquirer (who reported Rosie and Kelli’s split a few months ago) is reporting that Rosie’s biggest fear is that Kelli will contact the lawyers and wrench custody of all of the kids (Parker, 14, Chelsea, 12, Blake, 9 and Vivienne, 6) away from Rosie. Allegedly, Rosie fears that every court would find Kelli to be a more fit mother. Interesting:

Rosie O’Donnell is desperately trying to head off a divorce battle with longtime love Kelli Carpenter that could cost the star a big chunk of her $125 million estate and custody of their children, sources say.

Two months after The ENQUIRER exclusively reported Kelli had moved out of their home, sources tell The ENQUIRER that Kelli is not happy with the temporary custody arrangement for their four children, and Rosie fears her long-standing emotional problems could jeopardize her parenting the children.

“Rosie prays that she and Kelli won’t have to make their separation official because she knows her many problems could come into play,” a close source divulged.

“On paper Kelli appears to be the better mom because she doesn’t have the baggage that Rosie does.”

Rosie has admitted to having obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADD. After the Columbine school massacre more than a decade ago, Rosie – who’s also confessed to a drinking problem – said she was so depressed that she hinted at being suicidal and credited her doctor for saving her life.

“Rosie’s long-standing psychological, emotional and alcohol-related baggage would not sit well with a family court judge if she and Kelli can’t work out an amicable custody plan,” said a friend of the couple.

“Kelli’s pals have told her she needs to make the split permanent, and she’s been meeting with a divorce lawyer,” the close source disclosed. ”

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[From The National Enquirer]

I know Rosie has some mental health issues, but I’ve always thought it was more manic-depressive than ADD and OCD. Rosie’s highs and lows seem very extreme to my albeit untrained eye. While I don’t think any of those conditions (manic-depression, OCD, ADD) should determine whether or not you should be allowed to be a parent, I do think that it should and will factor into any future custodial issue. Though I don’t really know that much about Kelli, she definitely seems more mentally stable than Rosie. Here’s was my question, though: Did Kelli Carpenter formally, legally adopt Rosie O’Donnell’s older, adopted kids? CB and I were trying to figure that out, and it seems a little fuzzy. We kind of think that Kelli legally adopt the older kids, but if she didn’t, this whole issue is kind of moot.

Rosie and Kelli are shown in 2007 and 2005. Credit: PRPhotos