and have made multiple accusations about one another throughout their divorce battle.
Us Weekly confirmed in November that Rotten, 31, filed for divorce from James, 55, after two years of marriage. In her petition, Rotten listed their date of separation as November 5.
“The marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities between Petitioner and Respondent that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation,” the court docs obtained by Us read, citing the grounds for a divorce.
In her filing, Rotten (real name Alaina Antoinnette James) requested “exclusive use and control” of her 2022 Dodge Ram TRX and wanted to prohibit James from being able to track or monitor its location. She also wished to retain ownership of her clothing, books, firearms and related gear that are stored in a private gun room, a pet cat named Olive and other personal effects.
Rotten and James share son Bishop, who was born in June 2023, and she wants to be designated as the toddler’s “conservator” to choose Bishop’s primary residence and school. Rotten also requested child support from James, the ability to change her last name back to Hicks and for the court to seal all records.
James, meanwhile, also wants exclusive use of the pair’s Austin, Texas, residence, including all furniture, personal property and his 1995 Humvee motor vehicle.
While Rotten is seeking primary guardianship over Bishop, James requested a guardian ad litem be appointed while Rotten’s sobriety is evaluated. James asked that Rotten only receive periods of visitation with Bishop as long as she is sober, submitting a 12-panel hair or nail follicle drug test to his attorney.
In addition to filing for divorce, Rotten also requested a protective order “in connection with a child support case,” claiming that James “engaged in conduct that constitutes family violence.” According to Rotten, James “committed acts that were intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault” or threatened to do so.
She further accused James of repeatedly hitting, shoving and assaulting her throughout their relationship.
For instance, Rotten argued that James “got angry” in November 2022 when she asked him to remove his seven dogs from their bedroom so that she could comfortably rest during her pregnancy with Bishop. In response, he allegedly “repeatedly pushed [her] with two arms in my chest and shoulders” and “slammed [her] left forearm in the bedroom door.”
Rotten further claimed that James “forcibly shoved [her] with two hands” earlier this month, hours before he “angrily threw” a clean diaper at their son.
“I realized Jesse Gregory James’ anger was getting worse and worse,” she claimed in the docs. “To protect our baby and myself, I left home with [Bishop] and decided to file for divorce. Because of all the things he has done, I am very afraid Jesse Gregory James will cause me physical harm, cause me bodily injury or assault me.”
James, meanwhile, entered a “general denial” in his official response and asked that Rotten “take nothing.” He also filed for a protective order against Rotten, claiming that she committed family violence.
“Respondent committed acts that were intended by Respondent to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault or were threats that reasonably placed Applicant and the child Bishop Morrison James in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault,” James’ docs read. “Respondent’s acts therefore constitute family violence. Respondent’s conduct was reasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment or embarrass Applicant and Bishop Morrison James.”
James also requested that Rotten’s license to carry a handgun be suspended and she should be required to complete a battering intervention counseling program.
“Alaina has alcohol abuse issues and gets violent and aggressive, putting me and our son in danger,” James claimed. “The first time I saw Alaina exhibit violent behavior was on April 14, 2022, when she attacked me in my house and grabbed my finger and tried to break it.”
He further accused Rotten of frequently yelling or “aggressively” grabbing their son while she was “very drunk and belligerent.” James also claimed that Rotten “has been abusing our pets.”
“On April 28, 2023, my housekeeper Carmen told me that she witnessed Alaina deliberately leaving the back door open so that would get out and mauled by the dogs which is what happened,” he wrote in the filing. “Alaina and my daughter [from a previous relationship] do not have a good relationship. The cat ended up paralyzed and had to be euthanized due to its extensive injuries. I have a security video of her leaving the door open and the cat escaping. The housekeeper and I both believe she did it intentionally.”
He added, “After that incident, I got my daughter another cat. My housekeepers Carmen and Pilar witnessed Alaina beating and kicking that cat and throwing it against the wall. The cat was bleeding from its anus and mouth and was urinating. … Both cats were very sickly and injured a lot. I believe she attacked these two cats relentlessly because she does not like my daughter who is at college.”
James further claimed that he believed Rotten has been “severely beating” all of their pet dogs with a metal pole.
“[Bonnie] filed an application for a protective order against me, which I believe was filed in bad faith, as it contains numerous false statements designed to shift blame onto me,” James concluded. “The reality is that I am the victim of repeated and escalating violence and threats. I am genuinely concerned for my safety and the safety of my son and I am seeking this protective order to establish boundaries that prevent further violence from Alaina and to protect myself and our child.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
