Dr. Paul Nassif Being Investigated Over Adrienne Maloof's Child Abuse Allegations According To Court Papers

By Jen Heger - RadarOnline.com Assistant Managing Editor

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Adrienne Maloof's estranged husband, Dr. Paul Nassif, is being investigated by the L.A. Department of Children & Family Services over allegations that the plastic surgeon physically abused their three sons, according to court documents, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

According to a sworn declaration from the couple's marriage counselor, Dr. Charles Sophy: "On Sunday, September 16, 2012, Adrienne called and told me about an incident involving Paul and the children that occurred on Thursday, September 13, 2012.  Specifically, Adrienne told me that Paul and the children were in the car when Paul became angry in response to Collin kicking Christian's seat, and that he tried to hit the kids while they were all in the car."

Dr. Sophy had been working with the divorcing parents to try and help them reach a custody arrangement for the children. The respected psychiatrist also described several more instances of Nassif allegedly abusing the kids, including spanking one of the boys on his behind as he was getting out of the bathtub.

Dr. Sophy interviewed the three children, with their parents permission, and he says in the declaration: "All three children appeared anxious and fearful. They are reluctant to share the details of what happened....I further learned that prior to my meeting with the children on Tuesday, a referral was made to the Department of Children and Family Services. I feel that DCFS is capable of determining the safety and risk issues to be mitigated and ensuring the children's safety and health."

Multiple sources connected to the case tell RadarOnline.com: "DCFS has launched an investigation into the abuse allegations involving Paul Nassif. Social workers will be meeting with Adrienne Maloof, Paul Nassif and the three children. Any time there are allegations of abuse involving children, DCFS is required by law to launch an investigation. It's truly sad that it has come to this."

Maloof obtained a temporary restraining order against Nassif in court on Wednesday and he is prohibited from contacting or seeing her or the children, until a hearing to determine if the restraining order should be made permanent on October 9.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Adrienne recently voiced her concern over Paul's decision to carry a gun in his briefcase because of her fear that the boys could get their hands on it. "Paul keeps the handgun unloaded in his briefcase with the ammunition in another bag, but Adrienne is still worried about it," a source told RadarOnline.com.

A hearing is scheduled for October 9 when it will be decided if the restraining order is made permanent.

Nassif filed for divorce in August, when he asked for joint custody of sons Gavin, 9, and 6-year-old twins, Christian and Collin, however Adrienne is fighting for primary custody.

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