Kelly Rutherford Reunites With Two Kids In New York After Custody Battle With Ex-Husband Daniel Giersch

Gossip Girl actress Kelly Rutherford was all smiles on Friday, as she finally got to be with her children, son Hermes, 8, and daughter Helena, 6.

Rutherford has been battling her ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, over the custody of her children, who were living with their father in Monaco for three years. Rutherford and Giersch married in 2006 and divorced in 2010. Giersch’s visa was revoked due to illegal activities, and he had to go back to his home country, France – and he did so with the two kids in tow.

Before the divorce, Rutherford and Giersch had joint custody of their children. With the revocation of Giersch’s visa, however, the children had to live with their father in Monaco, as Giersch can’t enter the United States. According to a previous report by the Inquisitr, Rutherford spent hundreds and thousands of dollars on legal fees and trips to Monaco to see her two children.

Kelly Rutherford has been open about her feelings on the issue. She shared that she was having a difficult time not seeing her children for weeks and not being able to hug them. Even her Gossip Girl co-stars and other celebrities supported her throughout the ordeal.

In May, Rutherford was given temporary sole custody of her children. Rutherford gave a statement to People.

“I am pleased with the outcome and that the children will be coming to the US for a part of their summer vacation. I am assured by the Monaco process and the judge. Although I still maintain my legal objections about Monaco hearing the case, my serenity is restored.”

On Friday, the New York Daily News reports that Rutherford was all smiles with her son and daughter outside her apartment building in New York City. A Los Angeles judge ruled that the two children can spend the summer with their mother in the United States after being with their father in Monaco for years.

It seems that Rutherford is making up for lost time with her children. Although Helena celebrated her birthday last June 10, the Gossip Girl actress posted a birthday cake on Instagram, wishing her 6-year-old daughter a belated happy birthday.

https://instagram.com/p/4uj0zQnDTV/?taken-by=kellyrutherford

Although being with her children is only a temporary arrangement, Rutherford is more than ecstatic. Hermes and Helena will be returning back to Monaco to live with their father as Rutherford and Giersch’s battle for their custody continues.

[Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for City Harvest]