As Stephen Belafonte and Mel B are getting a divorce, the custody battle still rages, not only over the daughter that the two of them have together but also over the daughter that Mel B has with Eddie Murphy.
According to TMZ, Belafonte has asked for visitation rights to see Angel, the 10-year-old daughter of Murphy and Mel B. His reasoning is that he has been the father in Angel’s life since she was born, since he married Mel B two months after Angel’s birth and has been her stepfather while Murphy has been a marginal presence in her life, if anything.
–Mel B says husband abuse her, accused her of sleeping with Usher–
California law allows for stepparents to have “reasonable visitation” of children as long as it is in the best interests of the child involved.
Belafonte’s lawyer wrote a letter on March 31 to make the claims, saying, “Stephen would like to schedule a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the resolution of temporary issues including his ability to see Madison and Angel, whom we would appreciate continuing to have contact with.”
However, Mel B reportedly wants sole custody of Madison, so it looks like a custody battle is looming as the divorce proceedings move forward.