Why The FBI Is Involved

The jurisdiction over Brad Pitt's alleged child abuse falls on the FBI as reports state that the incident occurred on air, or aboard an international flight last Wednesday from France back to the family's home in L.A.  On their private jet, the 52-year-old Pitt was said to be inebriated, started "screaming" and was verbally abusive while being with Jolie and their six children: 15-year-old Maddox, 12-year-old Pax, 11-year-old Zahara, 10-year-old Shiloh, and 8-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.  An anonymous call from someone either on the plane or from the tarmac reported the incident to the L.A. County Dept. of Children and Family Services, according to US Weekly reports.  Eyewitnesses have reported to TMZ that Pitt was "out of control" on the tarmac and attempted to ride in a fuel truck to leave.

Possible Trigger for Divorce

After 2 years of marriage and 12 years of being together, 41-year-old Angelina Jolie filed a divorce case against her husband, citing the basis of irreconcilable differences and claiming sole custody of their children.  The alleged child abuse incident was said to have occurred the day before Jolie officially split with Pitt and filed for divorce days later.

Pitt denies these child abuse accusations against his children, according to a People Magazine source close to Pitt.  The case remains open and Pitt is said to be cooperative to the authorities doing the investigations.  Although the specifics of the said verbal and physical abuse remain undisclosed, the DCFS has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and plans to interview the Pitt-Jolie kids after having interviewed the couple.

A source close to Pitt told People Magazine that Pitt has requested Jolie to be discreet about the divorce - not to save the marriage - but for the sake of the children's well-being.