Addison Russell's wife has filed for divorce less than two weeks after domestic abuse allegations were made against him on social media.
Melisa Reidy-Russell has hired attorney Thomas T. Field of Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove LLP, the firm that has represented Dwyane Wade in his custody battles.
Melisa Russell seeks sole custody of their 1-year-old son, as well as child and spousal support, in the petition filed on June 15 through the Cook County Domestic Relations division.
The divorce petition alleges that the Cubs shortstop "expressed little interest in the care of the child" throughout the marriage. It adds that the couple is living separately.
The couple was married on Jan. 9, 2016, and the marriage is registered in Pensacola, Fla.
Reidy-Russell said through a press statement that she will not speak with Major League Baseball investigators looking into an accusation that her husband was "mentally and physically abusing her," which was made on social media earlier this month by someone who has been described as one of her close friends.
"Mrs. Russell has declined the invitation from Major League Baseball to be interviewed relative to social media postings and allegations of domestic violence. It is her desire to pursue a resolution that is, first and foremost, in the best interest of the parties' son, and which occurs in a swift, amicable and private fashion," the statement said.
Russell called the allegation "false and hurtful" in a June 8 statement.
