Angelina releases statement after Brad is cleared of abuse allegations

Angelina Jolie is insisting that she had to "take action" against Brad Pitt for the health of their family.

In a new statement released to TMZ, the 41-year-old says she's "relieved" the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) have concluded their investigations into her estranged husband, who has now been cleared of child abuse allegations.

The statement reads that Ange hopes their brood - Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne - can now begin to "heal" as they cope with their parents' separation.

"Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their 8-week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal," the statement reads.

The spokesperson also confirmed the former couple - who split in September amid claims Brad, 52, had "got physical" with Maddox during a row on a private jet - have both signed an agreement which sees the Maleficent star retain primary custody of the children, while the Allied actor will receive supervised visits.

However, it is believed the agreement was only in place while the DCFS investigation was ongoing, and Brad it still determined to seek joint custody of the kids.

Angelina's statement echoes the one she issued after filing for divorce in September, in which she claimed to have done so for the "health of her family".

Her attorney Robert Offer said at the time: "Angelina has filed for dissolution of the marriage. This decision was made for the health of the family. She will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time."

“The job of the [Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services] is to make sure the children are in a safe and secure situation. As we said earlier this week, childcare professionals encouraged a legal agreement accepted and signed by both sides that was in the best interest of the children,” Jolie’s rep told Fox News.

Meanwhile, Brad has broken his silence on the split at a fan event for his new film Allied.

The actor spoke to press at the event alongside Marion Cotillard, the French actress he was accused of having an affair with amid his split with Ange.

At the time, Marion, 41, slammed the rumours and revealed that she is pregnant with her second child to her partner Guillaume Canet.

Since then, Brad has yet to speak openly about the split, besides telling press to give his children the space they need in this difficult time.

"I am very saddened by this," the star said at the time. "But what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids.

"I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."

And now, the 52-year-old Fury star is speaking openly about his personal woes, telling E! News at the Allied event that he is thankful for the support of his fans.

"It's really sweet, everyone has been really kind out here," he said. "It's really nice to have all the support."

Brad, who wasn't wearing his wedding ring, spent a lot of time signing autographs for fans, as he made his way down the red carpet.

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The premiere was the actor's second public appearance this week, as he also attended a private screening of Moonlight alongside his friend Julia Roberts.

Brad and Angelina were together for 12 years and married in 2014. They have six children together.

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