NFL Star Ordered to Share Custody in Paternity Case Involving Abortion Dispute

Justin Jefferson, the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, has been ordered by a New Jersey family court to share joint legal custody of his baby girl with the child's mother, Andrea Galea. This ruling comes after a paternity case involving allegations of pressure from Jefferson to terminate the pregnancy.

• The court order, issued on June 26 by Jude Aldo J Russo, establishes visitation rights for Jefferson and requires both parents to communicate about Stella's well-being.
• The court order even allows for FaceTime conversations between Jefferson and his daughter while Galea and Stella are traveling to Italy.

Details of the Paternity Case

The lawsuit filed in January by Galea details the contentious events leading up to the birth of Stella in December. Galea claims Jefferson attempted to persuade her to abort the pregnancy after she became pregnant in 2023.

• Jefferson's attorneys declined to comment on the abortion accusation.
• Both parties sought paternity testing, and Galea requested financial support and healthcare coverage from Jefferson.

Jefferson's Attempts to Influence Galea's Decision

The text messages between Jefferson and Galea, included in Jefferson's January filing, reveal his attempts to encourage Galea to consider abortion. He questioned if she used Plan B and expressed his desire to avoid the "situation" of having a child.

• Jefferson's text messages also show his desire to control Galea's actions and communication about the pregnancy, suggesting he felt pressured by the situation.

Galea's Account of Jefferson's Behavior

Galea's lawsuit details Jefferson's alleged actions after she refused to abort the pregnancy. She claims he became insensitive and cruel, blocking communication with her and telling her to "talk to me when the legal stuff comes up."

• Jefferson claimed Galea was "annoying" him about Stella and changed his number to avoid her.

Jefferson's Response to the Case

Jefferson's attorney declined to comment on the specifics of the court order and Galea's allegations. Galea's representatives did not respond to inquiries.

Court's Decision Regarding the Italy Trip

The court denied Jefferson's request to prevent Galea from traveling to Italy with Stella from July 1 to July 12, 2024. However, the order required Galea to provide Jefferson with a detailed itinerary and contact information for Stella and herself during the trip.

Requirements for Communication Between the Parents

Judge Russo's order includes guidelines for communication between Jefferson and Galea regarding Stella. It mandates that all communication must be non-derogatory, non-harassing, and solely focused on Stella's well-being.

• Both parents must communicate directly with each other, without intermediaries.
• Responses to communications are required within 6 hours.

Background of Jefferson and Galea's Relationship

Jefferson and Galea, both LSU alumni, were romantically involved from 2019 until their reconnection in April 2023. Galea, a University of Miami Law School graduate, is pursuing a legal career while raising Stella.

• Jefferson's relationship with Galea highlights the complexity of navigating a high-profile athlete's life with family responsibilities.