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Ashley Jones‘ estranged husband Joel Henricks has responded to her allegations that he was physically violent toward her throughout their relationship.
PEOPLE previously confirmed that theBold and the Beautifulactressfiled for divorcefrom Henricks on Sep. 6, a week after she was granted a restraining order against him that ordered him to stay at least 100 yards away from her.
In the declaration, Henricks denied Jones’ many allegations, including that he was physically violent (“I have NEVER caused her physical harm or touched her in a harmful way,”), suicidal (“I have never attempted suicide … I have two children that I adore and would never consider taking my life,”) and abused drugs and alcohol.
Henricks alleged in the declaration that Jones is a “master of manipulation” and that her attempt at a restraining order “is a custody tactic, plain and simple.”
He also alleged in the declaration that Jones “physically assaulted” him several times during their relationship, pointing to her Aug. 22 arrest on a domestic violence felony charge, just days before she obtained a restraining order against Henricks. (A spokesperson for the LAPD previously confirmed the arrest to PEOPLE. She was released one day later on $50,000 bond.)
A rep for Jones told PEOPLE on Wednesday, “Ashley categorically denies the allegations made in this matter. The restraining order was reissued today, remaining intact and in full force.”
“I offered to remain friendly with each other during this process,” he wrote. “This matter could have been settled civilly and in private had she chosen to do so, but she has declined, jeopardizing not just my mental health but, more importantly, the mental health of two little boys.” Henricks and Jones share3-year-old son Hayden Joeland Henricks has another son, Huck, from a previous relationship.
Ashley Jones and Joel Henricks with their son Hayden Joel.David Livingston/Getty Images
In his declaration filed Monday, Henricks claimed, “Ashley’s hand was fractured as a result of her attacking me with it,” detailing an alleged altercation between the two that began after he picked up her phone “to delete the nude pictures of me she had taken without my permission.”
Jones also alleged in her filing that Henricks has a “history of substance abuse, and continues to drink, use marijuana,” and claimed she once found him “with a belt around his neck attempting suicide.”
Jones said that she fled the couple’s home with Hayden on Aug. 17 as she was “afraid for my safety and the safety of our son” after an altercation with Henricks. She alleged that since she left, Henricks has continued to “stalk and harass” her.
In Monday’s declaration, Henricks claimed Jones “physically assaulted” him on Aug. 16 after a discussion about having a second child together. He alleged in the declaration that Jones “became extremely angry” after he said that he was “not ready” to have another child.
In the declaration, Henricks claimed that the morning after the Aug. 16 altercation, Jones “told me she ‘didn’t feel safe.’ I asked her, ‘What reason do you have to feel that way?’ She didn’t answer the question. After she left with our son, I called the police to report her assaulting me.”
Henricksresponded to the divorce petitionon Oct. 16, listing irreconcilable differences and asking for joint physical and legal custody of Hayden. He also asked for spousal support and that Jones cover his attorney’s fees and costs.
If you suspect domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “home” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
