Skin Guru Wins Sole Custody of Daughter

By Christina Rentz

Published on October 17, 2005

The custody battle between Nicholas Perricone and his ex-wife, Madeline, began two years ago when he filed for sole custody of his daughter on the grounds that his wife was mentally unstable.

After both parents underwent psychological evaluations, it was determined that Madeline Perricone had mild bipolar disorder. The evaluations also found that, while Nicholas Perricone was generally well-adjusted and mentally stable, he was often unpredictable and inflexible in high stress situations. Based on these findings as well as other evidence submitted to family court Judge Lynda B. Munro, the divorcing parents were awarded joint custody.

However, Madeline Perricone's ire towards her former husband overpowered her better judgment. Over the next year, Madeline engaged in vicious litigation strategies and attacks on the father-daughter duo. On one such occasion, Madeline refused to allow her daughter to accompany Nicholas to an audience with Pope John Paul II. On another occasion, Madeline accused the attorneys who had secured the joint custody decree for her of taking financial bonuses from her ex-husband, allegations that remain unfounded and unproven.

Invoking her judicial right to do what is in the best interests of the child, Judge Munro reversed her original ruling after witnessing Madeline's vindictive behavior and granted sole custody to Nicholas Perricone. Madeline Perricone is planning on filing an appeal.

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