EXCLUSIVE: Mel B's ex Stephen Belafonte takes daughter Madison, 7, for family fun day - after judge handed him temporary custody amid explosive claims of cocaine and child neglect

  • Stephen Belafonte was seen at the Malibu Chili Cook Off on Labor Day with his seven-year-old daughter Madison 
  • The father-daughter duo were spotted riding on bumper cars, going down the slide, and visiting the petting zoo
  • The 43-year-old dad, who has been embroiled in a bitter custody battle with ex Mel B, won temporary custody of Madison last week 
  • Mel's former nanny, Rusty Updegraff revealed in a declaration how her battle with alcohol and drugs is allegedly putting her young children at 'serious risk'
  • Belafonte was charged with caring for Madison - his only biological child with Mel B - until a court hearing Tuesday

Stephen Belafonte was spotted enjoying Labor Day with his young daughter Madison amid the bitter custody row over the seven-year-old with ex-wife Mel B.

In exclusive photos Belafonte is seen with Madison at the Malibu Chili Cook Off in Malibu, California enjoying the holiday weekend.

The doting dad was seen taking his daughter on the bumper cars, a slide and to a petting zoo at the annual festival and Madison lapped up her father's attention.

This year's celebrity laden cook-off drew the likes of Kourtney Kardashian, Larsa Pippen, Caitlyn Jenner, Andrew Garfield and Gerard Butler.

Belafonte, 43, won temporary custody of Madison last week after a bombshell declaration from Mel's former 'manny' Rusty Updegraff revealed how the star's battle with alcohol and drugs is allegedly putting her children at 'serious risk'.

Daddy duties: Stephen Belafonte and his seven-year-old daughter Madison were seen riding on bumper cars at the annual Malibu Chili Cook Off on Labor Day 

Daddy duties: Stephen Belafonte and his seven-year-old daughter Madison were seen riding on bumper cars at the annual Malibu Chili Cook Off on Labor Day 

The doting dad, 43, and his youngest daughter bonded over the weekend - just a couple days after Belafonte was granted temporary custody

The doting dad, 43, and his youngest daughter bonded over the weekend - just a couple days after Belafonte was granted temporary custody

Belafonte raised three daughters through his marriage with Mel B, but Madison, seven, is his only biological child with the former Spice Girl 

Belafonte raised three daughters through his marriage with Mel B, but Madison, seven, is his only biological child with the former Spice Girl 

Belafonte was given temporary custody after a bombshell declaration submitted by Mel's former nanny claimed she was an unfit mother to her two younger children 

Belafonte was given temporary custody after a bombshell declaration submitted by Mel's former nanny claimed she was an unfit mother to her two younger children 

Belafonte was charged with caring for his daughter until a court hearing Tuesday.

His lawyer Grace Jamra asked Judge Mark Juhas on Friday for random drug and alcohol testing and a custody evaluation and an agreement is expected to be reached within hours.

Sources close to Belafonte have told DailyMail.com that despite the bitter divorce and custody battle with Mel, the film producer does not want his ex to lose custody of their daughter.

The source said: 'Stephen doesn't hate Melanie, she needs help and he realizes that's why she's made up all these lies about him.

'He knows there's a good person he married beneath all the problems.

'He wants her to get the help she needs and he wants assurances that she's not using alcohol or drugs around Madison.

'As the mother of his child he does not want her to lose custody because he knows Madison loves her, but at the same time he wants there to be proper precautions in place.'

Having a blast: Belafonte grasps his young daughter's hand as they go down the slide 

Having a blast: Belafonte grasps his young daughter's hand as they go down the slide 

The 43-year-old took out his cell phone to take a picture of them going down the slide

The 43-year-old took out his cell phone to take a picture of them going down the slide

The daddy-daughter duo were later seen playing carnival games for prizes 

The daddy-daughter duo were later seen playing carnival games for prizes 

On Friday Mel's ex-nanny Updegraff branded the America's Got Talent star the 'world's number one bad mother'.

The 59-year-old spoke to DailyMail.com after the damning declaration he signed was submitted at LA Superior Court accusing Mel, 43, of using cocaine, heavy drinking and seriously neglecting her children Angel 11, and Madison, seven.

In the filing Updegraff also claims Mel's ferocious appetite for sex means there's a procession of strangers at the family home.

He claims she's slept with dozens of men since divorcing Belafonte - including her children's piano teacher, a driver, a hairdresser, a 'surfer kid' and a guy she picked up at SoHo House, who the kids nicknamed 'smelly feet'.

Updegraff said he quit his job earlier this month because of Mel's 'erratic behavior' and her 'berating and abusive behavior' towards him.

He said she also disrespected him as the child's caretaker.

Adorable: Belafonte and Madison also made their way to the festival's petting zoo

Adorable: Belafonte and Madison also made their way to the festival's petting zoo

The Malibu Chili Cook Off is a popular family event that also drew the likes of Kourtney Kardashian, Larsa Pippen, Caitlyn Jenner, Andrew Garfield and Gerard

The Malibu Chili Cook Off is a popular family event that also drew the likes of Kourtney Kardashian, Larsa Pippen, Caitlyn Jenner, Andrew Garfield and Gerard

But mainly he said he now fears for the 'safety' of Madison, adding that the sole motivation for him submitting his declaration is to protect the child and ensure her 'welfare, safety and well-being' is fully protected.

Updegraff ended his explosive testimony by claiming the former Spice Girl is not fit to have custody of the children - and he is afraid something 'bad' will happen if they are left in her care.

Mel B and Stephen Belafonte have been embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their three kids, months after their acrimonious divorce
Mel B is seen outside of court on August 31

Mel B and Stephen Belafonte have been embroiled in a bitter custody battle over their three kids, months after their acrimonious divorce. The two exes are pictured above after a court hearing last week 

'Aside from the obvious alcohol addiction and her addiction to multiple partners that she brings around the children, I truly believe that Melanie is mentally and/or psychologically unstable and is suffering from some form of mental health issue. I do not believe the children are safe in her custody without supervision or monitoring,' the statement ends.

The source close to Belafonte says Mel's recent behavior didn't come as a surprise, but he was shocked by Updegraff's declaration.

'Stephen's focus is the well-being of the children. He has had not any contact with Rusty in the 15 years he's known Mel, until this came up.

'So any suggestion Rusty is somehow colluding with Stephen is nonsense.'

Belafonte and Mel split in March last year and during a bitter and protracted divorce battle Mel accused her ex of physical and emotional abuse, claims he has vehemently denied. 

 

Advertisement

Stephen Belafonte with daughter Madison amid custody battle with Mel B

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.