Stephen Belafonte Wants Temporary Custody Of Mel B’s Two Younger Daughters

I can hear this picture, it sounds like an L.A.-by-way-of- Leeds accent, and it says: “He wants WOT?”

Earlier this month, we learned that Mel B and Stephen Belafonte had finally settled their divorce. Stephen’s getting $20,000 a month, which includes $5,000 for child support of their 6-year-old daughter Madison Belafonte, and $15,000 in spousal support for himself. Mel B and Stephen had also reportedly agreed to share custody of Madison. Stephen may be ok with the money, but not the custody. TMZ says that Stephen appeared in court today, claiming Mel isn’t fit to care for her three daughters, because she’s drunk all the time. Here we go again.

Stephen’s trip to court might have been initiated by Mel B’s recent admission that she was planning on going to rehab in the UK next month. Mel B originally said she would be seeking treatment for alcohol and sex addiction, but she later clarified that her issues were merely side effects of a PTSD diagnosis.

Both Stephen and Mel B appeared in court today. TMZ points out that Mel was “covered in sweat.” Stephen came to court armed with some papers, including a declaration from Russell Updegraf. Russell allegedly watches Mel’s daughters Madison and Angel, and he claims that both the girls are at risk because of their mother’s drinking.

According to Russell’s declaration, Mel starts drinking as early as 10am, usually with a beer. Throughout the day she allegedly moves from beer to wine, then to the hard stuff. Russell claims that Mel will eventually pass out, and wake up mean and belligerent. Russell also says that along with watching Madison and Angel, Mel B sends him on liquor errands in which he has been known to purchase a dozen bottles of wine, two bottles of vodka, and several 12-packs of beer. After four or five days when it’s all gone, he’s off on another booze run.

Russell also says that Mel has been known to bring guys around the house, and that one of Mel’s dates allegedly tried to bring Madison into the shower, but was stopped by Russell himself. Russell claims Madison and Angel are super stressed out by their mom’s behavior.

TMZ says that Stephen doesn’t want full custody forever, just temporary while Mel is in rehab. He’s asking the court for a custody change because he’s worried the two younger girls are at risk. Mel B’s oldest daughter, Phoenix, is 19, so she’s taking care of herself.

If what Russell is saying is true, then that feels like Mel might be going through an awful lot of alcohol for one tiny person. But did Russell really have to get specific and state that Mel B is a terror when she wakes up from a nap? Your honor, that’s irrelevant! Booze or no booze, if you’re about to wake me up from an afternoon nap, you better believe I’ll be hollering at someone like a drunken sailor.

Pic: Wenn.com