Jesse James Wins Custody Tug-of-War Over Daughter

Orange County court gives him physical custody of daughter, allowing her to go to Texas to be close to Sandra Bullock

By Claudia Rosenbaum Jul 20, 2010 9:46 PMTags

All his exes might not live there yet, but Jesse James can definitely take his kid to Texas.

In a huge blow to ex-wife Janine Lindemulder,who was seeking more time with their 6-year-old daughter, Sunny, an Orange County court gave James physical custody of the child. That paves the way for the Monster Garager to follow another ex, Sandra Bullock, to Austin with his daughter.

Lindemulder, who wanted James and the child to stay in Southern California, immediately broke down and clutched her attorney. "I'll move. I'll move," she cried repeatedly.

James, who just purchased a monster house in Austin near Bullock's, had argued that Bullock and Sunny had an extremely close bond and the Oscar winner was a positive influence in the girl's life.

Family Court Commissioner Thomas Schulte said that while both of Sunny's parents have expressed their undying love for their kid, he was concerned that some of Lindemulder's recent decisions have been poor (as James' lawyer pointed out, she just finished a four-month stint in an Oregon halfway house for parole violation and has battled an addiction to prescription pills).

Schulte said he made his decision in the best interest of the child, adding that Lindemulder will still share joint custody and Sunny should spend as much time with mother as possible.

"Child will spend rest of summer with mother. Child will be with mother immediately until school starts in Texas in August," Schulte said.

James rushed off without address reporters and raced away on his motorcycle because a Los Angeles jury has reached a verdict in his civil case over a Walmart clothing line.

Outside court, Lindemulder tried to put on a brave face.

"I don't think Sandras trying to steal her. I would just like a little more communication mom to mom that would be nice. Keep me in the loop," she told E! News, adding that Sunny is excited about moving to Texas "the big house."

"I don't want to take that away from her. I don't want the crumbs."

(Originally published July 20, 2010 at 2:20 p.m. PT)