Legally challenged rocker Courtney Love can put “parent” back on the list of things she sometimes does-right up there with “sing” and “act.”
A judge ruled Monday that Love could regain custody of her 12-year-old daughter, Frances Bean, whose father is the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.
“Frances has been returned to [Love] after a judge indicated satisfaction in Ms. Love’s efforts to turn around her life and found it was in the best interests of mother and daughter to be reunited,” Love’s attorney, Howard Weitzman, said in a statement.
Frances has not been in Love’s care since her mother’s infamous October 2003 meltdown, which concluded with a drug overdose before the child’s eyes.
The then-11-year-old reportedly made her mother a cup of tea and kept her company while they waited for the ambulance.
“That’s the only time my daughter has ever, ever, ever pitched in one of my little crises,” Love said in a November 2003 interview with Us Weekly. “I made it fun. I said it was going to be gross and I was going to have to make myself throw up, but it was going to be okay.”
However, the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services disagreed that the experience was “fun” for Frances and removed her from Love’s home the following day and placed her with her paternal grandmother.
Love, in turn, was admitted to a psychiatric ward against her will.
“Cops and two ladies in white coats came to my house,” Love told the New York Daily News of the experience. “I got jackbooted. My mouth was taped shut. They put a ping-pong ball in my mouth. And honey, you don’t get to say you’re sorry for that, because it wasn’t in bed.” She walked off the ward on her own accord 24 hours later.
Since the experience, Frances has lived alternately with Wendy O’Connor, Cobain’s mother, with whom Love has a less-than-amicable relationship, and with Love’s stepfather and sister.
Love, who has been working her way through a slew of legal issues, claimed she was on the road to reform.
“Life is about choices,” the America’s Sweetheart singer said in a statement, “and I’ve chosen to move forward with my life in a healthy and positive way. Having my daughter back with me is exciting.”
Love also indicated that she planned to continue to “entertain.” We’re guessing she means outside of the confines of the courtroom, where, to be sure, she often puts on a good show.
“I am looking forward to the future in continuing to entertain and create great music,” Love said. “I really appreciate the encouragement and support I’ve received from my fans and the community.”
Before the rocker can fully concentrate on music-making, she has a series of legal matters to attend to, including a charge of felony assault with a deadly weapon stemming from an April 2004 altercation with another woman and two felony drug charges dating back to October 2003.
To date, Love has pleaded innocent to all of the charges.
