Bill O'Reilly Loses Custody of His Children After Drawn Out Court Battle

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Fox News host Bill O'Reilly will lose custody of his children, New York's state Supreme Court ruled last week. The Fox host's two children, aged 13 and 17, will live with their mother, Maureen McPhilmy, after a judge awarded her full custody. 

The story was first reported by Gawker on Monday.  

Read more: Bill O'Reilly's Domestic Abuse Allegations Are Dripping in Hypocrisy

This ruling was the latest in a long court battle between O'Reilly and his ex-wife. The decision affirms the 2015 ruling of the Nassau County Supreme Court.

In the unanimous decision, by the four-member state Supreme Court, the justices cited what they said were "clearly stated preferences of the children ... and the quality of the home environment provided by the mother."

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"There is a sound and substantial basis for the Supreme Court's determination that it is in the best interests of the children for the mother to be awarded primary residential custody," the decision reads.

The ruling likely closes the book on what has been a long and embarrassing legal drama for the polarizing political pundit. During a previous hearing, it emerged that O'Reilly's daughter had reportedly witnessed her father choking McPhilmy and dragged her down a staircase. In 2004, O'Reilly settled a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former producer for an undisclosed sum.