Actress Jaime King has been ordered by a Los Angeles court to complete a six-month rehabilitation program for substance abuse as part of an ongoing custody battle with her ex-husband, director Kyle Newman. The court’s decision also grants Newman sole physical custody of their two sons, James Knight Newman, 12, and Leo Thames Newman, 10, while King’s visitation rights are restricted to supervised visits three times a week.
This latest development marks a significant turn in the contentious legal battle between the former couple, who divorced in 2020 after 13 years of marriage.
The court ruling requires King to undergo a comprehensive six-month drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This includes weekly testing, aftercare, participation in a two-step recovery program, and a 26-week parenting course. Additionally, she must attend individual counseling and may be required to participate in conjoint therapy sessions with her children if deemed appropriate by their therapist.
Until these requirements are met, King will only be allowed supervised visitation with her sons. Approved supervisors include her grandmother Nancy King, her sister Sandy Larson, her brother-in-law Andy Larson, and Newman’s brother Kevin Newman. These visits will remain supervised until the court determines otherwise.
While the court granted joint legal custody to both parents, Newman now holds sole physical custody of James and Leo. This means the children will primarily live with their father, who also has tie-breaking authority on all legal decisions concerning them.
Newman’s legal team emphasized that his focus remains on the well-being of his children. “Kyle wants nothing but the best for his whole family and hopes that Jaime can find the peace and help she needs,” a spokesperson for Newman said.
The custody battle has been fraught with allegations from both sides since it began in 2020. Newman has accused King of chronic substance abuse that he claims has negatively impacted her parenting abilities. In court filings, he alleged that King drank alcohol and used opiates while pregnant with both children. He further claimed that Leo was born with a congenital heart defect due to prenatal drug exposure and required immediate surgery after birth.
Newman also recounted troubling incidents where King allegedly drove under the influence with their children in the car or left them unattended to purchase alcohol. In one instance, he claimed she abandoned Leo at a doctor’s appointment while she was found at a nearby liquor store.
King has denied many of these allegations over the years. She previously stated in court documents that she passed drug tests at a treatment facility in 2020 after being accused of addiction issues. However, the court’s recent ruling suggests ongoing concerns about her ability to provide a stable environment for her children.
King has consistently pushed back against Newman’s claims, describing them as part of a “false narrative.” In 2020, she filed a domestic violence prevention petition against Newman, alleging emotional abuse and manipulation. She claimed that an intervention staged by Newman earlier that year was unwarranted and aimed at portraying her as an unfit parent.
Despite these denials, the court has ruled in favor of Newman multiple times throughout their custody battle. In addition to losing physical custody of her sons, King has faced challenges meeting financial obligations related to spousal and child support agreements established during their divorce.
The couple’s legal disputes have been ongoing since King filed for divorce in May 2020. Over the years, both parties have filed numerous motions related to custody and financial support:
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In April 2024, King requested changes to their spousal and child support agreements, citing an inability to pay.
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Newman countered by accusing King of failing to comply with court orders for over a year.
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The divorce settlement itself has been contentious, with Newman alleging that King refused to sign necessary judgments.
These disputes have added layers of complexity to an already difficult situation for both parents and their children.
Leo Thames Newman holds a unique place in pop culture as the godson of global music icon Taylor Swift. Swift was named his godmother in 2015 and supported him during his heart surgery as a newborn. While Swift has not commented publicly on the recent custody ruling, her connection to Leo adds another dimension to this high-profile case.
King’s path forward involves completing the court-mandated rehabilitation program and parenting courses before she can request unsupervised visitation rights. The timeline for this process will depend on her compliance with the court’s requirements.
Meanwhile, Newman will continue as the primary caregiver for James and Leo. His legal team asserts that his focus remains on providing stability and care for his sons during this challenging time.
This case highlights the complex intersection of addiction recovery and parenting responsibilities. While courts prioritize the safety and well-being of children in custody disputes, they also aim to provide opportunities for parents struggling with addiction to seek treatment and rebuild relationships with their children.
For Jaime King, this ruling represents both a setback and an opportunity—a chance to address personal challenges while working toward regaining trust and access to her sons.
The custody battle between Jaime King and Kyle Newman underscores how deeply personal struggles can intersect with public life. As King embarks on her mandated rehabilitation program, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability, recovery, and resilience in navigating family challenges.
For now, James and Leo will remain under their father’s care while their mother works toward fulfilling the requirements set by the court—a journey that could ultimately pave the way for healing and reconciliation within their family.
