A judge has ordered Kelly Rutherford's two children, 8-year-old Hermes and 5-year-old Helena to be brought home to the U.S. from Monaco, where they have been living with their father since 2012. The 'Gossip Girl' actress has been given temporary sole custody, after a three-year legal battle.
The 46-year-old's ex-husband, German businessman Daniel Giersch has not yet reacted to the issue.
Rutherford's lawyer Wendy Murphy released a statement through People Magazine magazine Sunday, stating, "We are ecstatic, and hopeful that Monaco will respect the California court's ruling and send the children home."
Murphy added, "It has long been our position that Monaco has no jurisdiction because Hermes and Helena, as American citizens, have an absolute right to live in their own country."
Rutherford and Giersche were married in 2006, separated two years later and then legally divoced in July 2010. In 2012, Giersch moved to his home in Monaco after he claimed that his visa was revoked and that he could not enter into the U.S.
After a few months, an L.A.-based judge decided that Giersch and Rutherford would still have the joint custody. However, because Giersch is banned in the U.S., the children must live with him and Rutherford could visit them and bring them to U.S to be with her for a period of time.
However, Rutherford's lawyers confirmed that the father has deprived Rutherford of her rights to see her children during her latest trip to France to see her children.
The judge has requested for Rutherford, Giersch and their children to appear at the hearing on Monday, June 15.
Kelly Rutherford played Lily van der Woodsen on The CW series 'Gossip Girl' from 2007 to 2012. She is also known for her role Megan Lewis on the '90s soap 'Melrose Place.'
