An Australian family court has re-granted unsupervised time with his two children to a father accused of creating sexually explicit images of his wife and her friends using artificial intelligence (AI). As reported by Joseph Carbone, this interim decision, made in May, was announced after the father pleaded guilty to two charges related to recording intimate images of his wife without her consent in mid-2025.
The couple separated after the mother discovered that her husband possessed hundreds of AI-altered obscene images, including those of his wife, her friends, and his workplace colleagues. However, the father stated in court that he kept all the relevant photos only on his computer and had not shared them with anyone.
Justice Suzanne Christie of the New South Wales (NSW) Family Court heard the case. The judge determined that while the father's behavior could be identified as family violence, she was not satisfied with the evidence presented that it posed a threat to the children's safety. The mother had initially expressed concern that the children might access these photos through unpassworded devices. However, the judge pointed out that there was no evidence of this being a current risk or having ever occurred before, and further stated that maintaining a continuous close relationship with their father was in the children's best interest and that he posed no risk to them.
According to an affidavit submitted by the mother to the court, the father was accused of using ChatGPT technology to mislead the therapist who treated him for his past wrongdoings. The mother stated that she had previously expected him to be referred to a new therapist who would have a thorough understanding of her husband's true behavior and could not be misled in any way. She also stated that if she had known he was still receiving treatment from the same old therapist, she would not have allowed him any opportunity to see the children. She further added that she had hoped he would be rehabilitated for the children's well-being.
Following consideration of these facts, Justice Christie ordered the appointment of an independent children's lawyer for the children. Additionally, the father was granted permission to spend 24 hours with the children on weekends and to connect with them via FaceTime one night a week. The next hearing was held on July 2, but the decisions made regarding it have not yet been announced.