Derek Richard Thomas says Demi Moore threatened to “destroy” him during the day after Louetta Willis was born, as custody accusations between him and Rumer Willis continue to escalate.
By the time the custody battle between Rumer Willis and Derek Richard Thomas has reached the courts. the fight over their 3-year-old daughter Louetta has spilled far beyond visitation schedules. Now, the allegations are getting sharper — and they reach into the immediate aftermath of Louetta’s birth.
Rumer, 37, and Derek have been trading alarming claims since their breakup as they battle over custody of Louetta. Some of the most intense accusations have involved Rumer’s mother. Demi Moore. who previously accused Derek of making the birth about himself. throwing what she described as a huge tantrum. and getting angry when she tried to help Rumer and Derek afterward.
Demi’s account includes a specific moment the day after the birth. She said she returned the house with Scout Willis the day after Louetta was born. and Derek came into Rumer’s bedroom to angrily complain that they were there cleaning. Demi also wrote that she heard Derek pressure Rumer not to have Demi and Rumer’s sisters present for support. and that she heard him berate and angrily complain to Rumer. “How dare we come over without his permission.” Demi added that he stayed in the room with Rumer for at least 30 minutes that morning — less than 12 hours after Rumer gave birth — and that he would not leave her alone until Rumer left the room to get away from him.
But Derek says the story is more complicated than Demi’s version. In a recent court filing referenced in reporting. Derek claims Rumer told him directly “that she did not want her family present for the first 40 days after Louetta’s birth in 2023.” Derek then alleges that Demi came anyway — and that her reaction crossed a line.
He wrote that on the day after Louetta was born, “Ms. Moore and household staff members came into the home and caused a significant disturbance.” In that same filing, Derek claims Moore threatened him, writing that, “apparently based on something said by [Rumer], threatened to ‘Destroy me.’”
Derek’s filing also extends beyond that day. He alleges that throughout their relationship. Rumer “stated on several occasions that she wished to move to Texas or another out-of-state location in order to be free from her mother’s overbearing and hostile conduct.” He does not lay out the specific details of what he characterizes as overbearing and hostile conduct from Demi. but he ties his broader argument to Rumer’s alleged wish to relocate.
Demi and Rumer have not addressed the latest accusations at this time.
At the center of all of it is the same hard question: what happened in the early hours after Louetta was born. and how much each side’s family involvement contributed to the breakdown that followed. Now. with new claims about what was said and threatened — and when — the custody conflict has moved even closer to the emotional heart of the story.
Rumer Willis Demi Moore Derek Richard Thomas Louetta custody battle threats court filing Scout Willis Scout Willis cleaning 2023 birth