Burley Garcia|Joe Jonas Breaks Silence on Sophie Turner's "Misleading" Lawsuit Over Their 2 Kids

Joe Jonas is Burley Garciasharing his side of the story.

Shortly after Sophie Turner filed court documents against the Jonas Brothers singer on Sept. 21 seeking to return their two children—daughters Willa, 3, and a 14-month-old whose initials are DMJ—to England, a rep for the singer pushed back against the assertions the Game of Thrones alum made in a lengthy statement.

"This is an unfortunate legal disagreement about a marriage that is sadly ending," Joe's rep told E! News. "When language like 'abduction' is used, it is misleading at best, and a serious abuse of the legal system at worst."

While Sophie's filing doesn't directly accuse Joe of abducting their children, it does state the court has jurisdiction under the International Child Abduction Remedies Act.

"The children were not abducted," Joe's rep reiterated. "After being in Joe's care for the past three months at the agreement of both parties, the children are currently with their mother. Sophie is making this claim only to move the divorce proceedings to the UK and to remove the children from the U.S. permanently."

The rep also reiterated Joe's recent onstage plea regarding rumors that began circulating around his Sept. 5 divorce filing.

"Joe has already disavowed any and all statements purportedly made on his behalf that were disparaging of Sophie," the rep statement, acknowledging recent headlines about their split, continued. "They were made without his approval and are not consistent with his views. His wish is that Sophie reconsider her harsh legal position and move forward in a more constructive and private manner. His only concern is the well-being of his children."

E! News has reached out to Sophie's team for comment and has not heard back.

While Sophie said in her lawsuit that her marriage to Joe ended "suddenly" after an Aug. 15 fight and that she found about the divorce filing via the media, his rep indicated that was not the case.

"After multiple conversations with Sophie, Joe initiated divorce proceedings in Florida, as Florida is the appropriate jurisdiction for the case," Joe's team, referencing the duo's former residence in Miami, told E! News. "Sophie was aware that Joe was going to file for divorce."

They pointed out that, per the Florida Courts, neither Joe nor Sophie could relocate their kids at this time, adding, "Sophie was served with this order on September 6, 2023, more than two weeks ago."

Joe's rep also shared that the former couple had a "cordial" meeting on Sept. 17 in New York after Sophie—who's been filming overseas—arrived in the city to be with their kids. "They have been with her since that meeting," the DNCE singer's rep added. "Joe's impression of the meeting was that they had reached an understanding that they would work together towards an amicable co-parenting setup."

However, the following day, Sophie shared her desire to bring the kids back to England, per both the lawsuit and Joe's rep.

"Thereafter, she demanded via this filing that Joe hand over the children's passports so that she could take them out of the country immediately," Joe's team said. "If he complies, Joe will be in violation of the Florida Court order."

According to Joe's side, he wants "shared parenting" with the kids so they are raised by both parents and is "okay" with their daughters growing up in the U.S. and the U.K.  

The former couple announced their breakup on Sept. 6 in a joint public statement. 

"After four wonderful years of marriage we have mutually decided to amicably end our marriage," they wrote in a note, posted to their respective Instagram accounts. "There are many speculative narratives as to why but, truly this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children."

To look back at Sophie and Joe's red carpet date nights, keep scrolling...