The custody battle between Andrew Ashcroft and Jasmine Hartin has only just begun, but it's already gotten very ugly.
Ashcroft - who's had their children since late May - has filed for sole custody of their 4 year old twins, Elizabeth and Charlie Ashcroft on the grounds that Jasmine Hartin is a drug addict and a drunkard.
His statement claims, quote, "the mother of the children hardly spends any time with the children; she is frequently…leaving the children in the care of others. Her main occupation is attending and socialising and she is addicted to…illegal drugs and is a habitual drunkard." End quote.
He notes also that she is currently charged for causing the death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott, quote, "and the assault of a person while out on bail."
He states also that Hartin has quote, "immoral habits (drunkenness and drug addiction)…(and) does not exercise proper care and control of the said children..." end quote.
His complaint adds that the application for custody is in the best interest of the children.
The custody battle will play out in Belize and Hartin has been summoned to appear in San Pedro Magistrate's Court on July 20th, 2021.
The strong language of the complaint is a sure sign that the gloves are off on both sides of the dispute - but, so far it's not an even fight because best indications are that Jasmin Hartin has not yet gotten a custody attorney - and reports say, some have turned her down. We do know that she went to the multiple police stations to file a complaint for child abduction, claiming that Andrew Ashcroft had kidnapped her children and took them to Mexico. And this afternoon police confirmed that Hartin indeed filed that report. They say it prompted them to investigate the whereabouts of Andrew Ashcroft and his children but claim that they're right here at home at the Grand Colony. San Pedro.
