Sophie Turner is suing estranged husband Joe Jonas over their children
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Bruce Glikas/WireImage/George Pimentel/Getty Images
Sophie Turner is suing Joe Jonas for 'wrongful retention of two children' in New York.
Game of Thrones star Turner, 27, and 'Sucker' hitmaker Jonas, 34, have been married for four years, but Jonas filed for divorce earlier this month.
They went on to issue a joint statement shortly after addressing the matter.
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It read: "After four wonderful years of marriage we have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage.
"There are many speculative narratives as to why but, truly this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children."
While it appeared as if things were amicable between the pair, Turner is now suing Jonas for holding their two kids in New York.
The celebrity pair share daughters Willa, three, and another little girl whom they welcomed in 2022.
They never revealed the tot's name.
Attorneys for Turner are said to have filed a petition against Jonas for 'wrongful retention of two children' in New York City.
It labels England as the children's 'habitual residence' - Turner's home country.
The actor is originally from Northampton, but resided in different locations across the US over the last few years.
Turner and Jonas then decided to make the UK their permanent home as of April 2023.
The petition calls for the girls' 'immediate return' to London.
Their move to London earlier this year comes after the celebrity pair 'often discussed their desire to raise their children in England', as per the petition.
In a statement to Tyla, a spokesperson for Jonas said: "After multiple conversations with Sophie, Joe initiated divorce proceedings in Florida, as Florida is the appropriate jurisdiction for the case. Sophie was aware that Joe was going to file for divorce.
"The Florida Court has already entered an order that restricts both parents from relocating the children. Sophie was served with this order on September 6, 2023, more than two weeks ago.
“Joe and Sophie had a cordial meeting this past Sunday in New York, when Sophie came to New York to be with the kids. They have been with her since that meeting.
"Joe’s impression of the meeting was that they had reached an understanding that they would work together towards an amicable co-parenting setup.
“Less than 24 hours later, Sophie advised that she wanted to take the children permanently to the UK. Thereafter, she demanded via this filing that Joe hand over the children’s passports so that she could take them out of the country immediately.
"If he complies, Joe will be in violation of the Florida Court order."
They continued: “Joe is seeking shared parenting with the kids so that they are raised by both their mother and father, and is of course also okay with the kids being raised both in the U.S. and the UK.
"The children were born in the U.S. and have spent the vast majority of their lives in the U.S. They are American citizens.
“This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending. When language like “abduction” is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst. The children were not abducted.
"After being in Joe’s care for the past three months at the agreement of both parties, the children are currently with their mother. Sophie is making this claim only to move the divorce proceedings to the UK and to remove the children from the U.S. permanently.
“Joe has already disavowed any and all statements purportedly made on his behalf that were disparaging of Sophie. They were made without his approval and are not consistent with his views.
"His wish is that Sophie reconsider her harsh legal position and move forward in a more constructive and private manner. His only concern is the well-being of his children.”
Tyla has contacted Turner's representatives for comment.