American Author Seeks Sole Custody of Elon Musk’s Alleged Child
Ashley St. Clair, a 26-year-old American author who recently claimed to have given birth to billionaire Elon Musk’s child, has filed a petition seeking sole custody. The legal move, which aims to establish Musk’s paternity and secure custody of the baby, adds yet another chapter to Musk’s already complex family dynamics.
The Legal Battle for Custody
On February 21, St. Clair submitted a petition to the New York Supreme Court, requesting sole custody of her child and a formal acknowledgment of Musk as the baby’s father. The court documents reveal that the child, identified only by the initials R.S.C., was born in September 2024 in New York.
According to the petition, Elon Musk, who is 54 years old, has only met the child three times since birth. St. Clair claims that Musk has not been involved in the child’s upbringing or care. Additionally, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO was reportedly absent during the birth.
A Brief Romance Turned Complicated
St. Clair provided details about her relationship with Musk, stating that their romance began in May 2023. She became pregnant in January 2024, following a whirlwind courtship. According to her, Musk “acknowledged the father-child relationship through multiple text exchanges,” including messages discussing the birth of R.S.C.
The legal filing includes numerous screenshots of conversations between St. Clair and Musk, suggesting a relationship that began passionately but quickly turned complicated.
Sparse Meetings and Missed Opportunities
Elon Musk’s first meeting with R.S.C. allegedly took place on September 21, 2024. The visit lasted around two hours. He spent another hour with the child the following day and just 30 minutes during their last meeting on November 30, 2024.
St. Clair claims that despite the limited interaction, Musk continued to communicate with her, expressing a desire to have more children.
One alleged message from Musk read: “We have to have many children.”
However, other texts painted a different picture. According to St. Clair, Musk often expressed concerns about his safety, citing “death threats every day” as a reason for his limited involvement. His security fears reportedly led St. Clair to leave the father’s information blank on the child’s birth certificate.
Protecting the Best Interests of the Child
In an interview with People, Brian Glickich, a representative for Ashley St. Clair, emphasized the author’s intent to protect her child.
“Ashley filed a petition asking the court to confirm paternity and sole custody to protect the best interests of the child,” Glickich stated.
“Before making this decision, she tried to cooperate with Mr. Musk. St. Clair does not comment further on the content of the petition because the document shows everything.”
Representatives and legal teams for Elon Musk have yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the case.
Who Is Ashley St. Clair?
Ashley St. Clair, born in 1999, is best known as the author of the children’s book Elephants Are Not Birds (2023). The book, which tackles topics related to identity and childhood development, gained a significant following.
In addition to her work as an author, St. Clair has made a name for herself on social media, amassing over a million followers on X (formerly Twitter). She has also appeared on podcasts, online shows, and television networks, discussing a variety of social and cultural topics.
Her February 14 announcement that she “secretly gave birth to Elon Musk’s child” five months earlier sent shockwaves through social media. St. Clair stated that she decided to go public to “protect her child from negative rumors.”
A day later, she shared more about her relationship with Musk in an interview with the New York Post, offering a glimpse into the highs and lows of dating one of the world’s most influential figures. Despite the revelations, Elon Musk has neither confirmed nor denied the claims.
A Look Into Musk’s Expanding Family Tree
If St. Clair’s claims are proven true, her child would join Musk’s large and diverse family. Elon Musk is the father of 12 children with four different women, with family stories ranging from joy to tragedy.
Musk’s Other Children
– With Justine Wilson: Musk welcomed his first child with his first wife, author Justine Wilson, in 2002. Tragically, the baby passed away at just 10 weeks old. The couple later had five more children before divorcing in 2008.
– With Grimes: Musk began dating singer Grimes in 2018, and the couple shares three children:
+ X Æ A-12, 5 years old
+ Exa Dark Sideræl (Y), 4 years old
+ Techno Mechanicus (Tau), 3 years old
+ Their relationship has been marked by both creative collaborations and public drama. Grimes recently made headlines with a public plea for Musk to address their child’s health issues, adding another layer to the entrepreneur’s family dynamics.
– With Shivon Zilis: Musk is currently dating Shivon Zilis, the CEO of Neuralink, a startup focused on brain-machine interfaces. The couple has three children, including twins born just weeks before Grimes welcomed her third child.
The Legal Implications of the Custody Battle
The custody battle between Ashley St. Clair and Elon Musk could have significant legal implications, both for the family and for Musk’s public image. Establishing paternity through legal channels might involve genetic testing, court appearances, and a closer look into Musk’s involvement in the child’s life.
St. Clair’s request for sole custody suggests that she may argue that Musk’s lifestyle, work commitments, or security concerns could affect his ability to provide a stable environment for their child. Legal experts indicate that sole custody cases often require evidence that one parent is better suited to meet the child’s needs.
If the court sides with St. Clair, Musk could face child support obligations and potentially limited visitation rights. Alternatively, if Musk decides to contest the custody request, the case could evolve into a prolonged legal dispute.
Public and Media Reactions
News of St. Clair’s legal petition quickly spread across social media and news outlets. Reactions from the public have been mixed.
– Supporters of St. Clair have praised her for taking legal steps to ensure her child’s well-being, emphasizing the importance of stable and supportive parenting.
– Critics, however, have questioned her decision to go public with such personal matters, suggesting that custody issues should remain private.
“It’s important for children to have both parents involved,” one social media user commented. “But if Musk isn’t stepping up, she has every right to fight for custody.”
Others expressed concern over the child’s privacy, noting that high-profile custody battles can sometimes lead to unwanted media attention for minors.
What’s Next for St. Clair, Musk, and R.S.C.?
As the legal process unfolds, the focus will likely shift to gathering evidence and presenting each side’s case in court. The outcome could set a precedent not only for Musk’s family but also for public figures involved in similar disputes.
For now, St. Clair remains steadfast in her goal to “protect the best interests of the child.” Whether this will involve shared custody, sole custody, or a private settlement remains to be seen.
While the tech billionaire continues to lead ventures in space exploration, electric vehicles, and technology, his personal life remains under a different kind of spotlight. The hope is that both parents prioritize their child’s well-being, finding a resolution that offers stability and peace away from the public eye.
