Baddourah, wife to undergo psychological evaluations as part of child custody fight

Columbia Councilman Moe Baddourah must clear a psychological evaluation before a judge will allow resumption of visitation with his young sons, and his estranged wife also must be evaluated, a Family Court judge decided Friday.

The two-term councilman was barred last week by another judge from having any contact with the boys, ages 4 and 6, or with wife Carrie Rhett. That directive followed a criminal domestic violence charge that Rhett filed after a confrontation on June 29 in the parking lot of Rockaway’s, a restaurant and bar in the Rosewood neighborhood the couple had decided would be a drop-off and pick-up site for visitations.

On Friday, Family Court Judge Michelle Hurley accepted an agreement reach by lawyers for Baddourah and Rhett. Baddourah is to meet with a psychologist next week and a report to the court will be forthcoming soon. Rhett must do the same within 60 days, Hurley said.

Those evaluations will affect future visitations and possible custody.

Rhett temporarily has been granted primary custody by another Family Court judge who also set a child visitation schedule for Baddourah. That schedule has been suspended pending the evaluations.

Rhett and her sister told Richland County deputies last week that Baddourah slammed her with her car door after she grabbed his mobile telephone in a dispute over whether the children could take back with them toys Baddourah had provided. The sisters also said the councilman clenched his fist as if to strike Rhett, but did not.

Baddourah denies the allegations and said earlier this week that his wife is seeking to use the criminal charge to gain an advantage in their divorce and custody dispute.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Baddourah, wife to undergo psychological evaluations as part of child custody fight."