Celebrity News August 19, 2015
Kelly Rutherford Reveals Why She Refused to Return Kids to Daniel Giersch
"Gossip Girl" actress Kelly Rutherford is explaining her reason for going against the wishes of Daniel Giersch by keeping their kids Hermes, 8, and Helena, 6, in the U.S. longer than their intended 5-week stay.
She told People, "They were totally great the entire time. We were painting, horseback riding. Then right when they knew they were going to go back, they got really panicky. My daughter was crying, my son started saying, 'Mommy, I'm afraid.' "
After hearing her kids' pleas, she decided to act quickly. "If I put them on a plane, I realized I may never see them again. I sent an email to Daniel telling him where we were. I just needed a moment to figure out what to do."
Following her refusal to return the kids, Daniel accused her of kidnapping them and she was ordered to fly them out to Monaco. Though she no longer has the kids, they are still one of her main priorities. She said, "My goal is their well-being and that they're safe, happy, healthy kids. It's scary. My kids have been through a lot. I've done everything I possibly can to let them think that everything is normal."
Rutherford is scheduled to appear in court in Monaco on September 3, and is determined to bring her kids back to the U.S. "This whole time, what I've had to do is take an overall situation that's so bizarre and try to keep my kids healthy. I have to keep knowing if I'm okay, they're going to be okay. I don't want them to be fearful. My children ask me all the time if I am still fighting for them... I always tell them the day will never come when I say no.”