Brad Pitt 'investigated for child abuse': LA social services probe claims he 'physically and verbally abused his children after getting wasted on private jet' - the day before Jolie ended their marriage.

Brad Pitt was desperate for one more chance to save his marriage
and offered to 'go into therapy for drug and alcohol use',
it has been claimed.

Brad Pitt is being investigated by police and social services in Los Angeles amid reports he got 'verbally abusive and physical with his children' on a private jet, it has been claimed.

The family is said to have been on a flight when he allegedly became 'wasted' and started 'screaming' before continuing the 'rant' when the plane landed, trying to leave the scene in a fuel truck.

TMZ reports that the alleged episode, last Wednesday, prompted Angelina Jolie to split from the 52-year-old the next day and then file for divorce. 

Pitt is believed to be under investigation by the LAPD and LA County Department of Children and Family Services. He and Jolie are said to have been interviewed as part of the probe, and there are plans for authorities to speak to the children.

A source close to Pitt told TMZ that he is taking the matter seriously but 'did not commit any abuse of his children'. MailOnline has requested comments from Jolie and Pitt this morning.

It comes amid claims Pitt was desperate for one more chance to save his marriage and offered to 'go into therapy for drug and alcohol use'.

The Hollywood star is said to have 'offered to improve to make himself a better person' in a bid to avoid divorce.

Pitt is believed to be under investigation by the LAPD and
LA County Department of Children and Family Services.
 The family is pictured in June last year

But a source close to the actor said although Pitt is 'madly in love' with Angelina Jolie, he 'knows how crazy she can get'.  

A source told the Sun how Pitt was desperate for Jolie to give him one more chance.

'He offered to improve and even go into intense therapy. The reality is Brad's still madly in love with Angelina. He adores her and never intentionally tried to hurt her.

'Yes, he did drink and smoke weed. And yes, they did have fights where he'd raise his voice. He knows he needs to improve and is trying to make himself a better person for the sake of the children.'

The source said that Pitt is a dedicated father and would never put his wife or family under any threat - but that Jolie 'has chosen to destroy his reputation' and has been 'acting crazy'.  

It comes as actress Marion Cotillard revealed she is pregnant with her second child and vehemently denied having an affair with Pitt after reports of cheating emerged amid the star couple's split.

Cotillard, 40, wrote a lengthy Instagram message to make the announcement and to dispel rumors on Wednesday before confirming that her partner of eight years Guillaume Canet is the father of her unborn child.  

Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt on Monday for 'the health of her family', two years after they wed at their French estate Chateau Miraval.

The actress filed papers citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and asked for physical custody of the couple's three biological children as well as their three adopted children - Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, and Zahara, 11. 

'Blissfully happy': The 40-year-old French star is in a relationship
with fellow actor Guillaume Canet, 43, and they have one
 child together (Guillaume directed Marion in his first American
 film, Blood Ties, they are seen here at the premiere in 2013)

Pitt is said to have been furious over Jolie's appointment of Arminka Helic, 48, and Chloe Dalton, 37, two former political aides to British politician William Hague. A source told the Sun they were brought in to help with her campaign work and speech writing and urged Pitt to reduce the couple's support staff. 

'Brad sees the women as a coven. He was furious at some of Arminka's decisions,' the source said.

The decisions are said to have included ditching Pitt's security team - some of whom had worked for the star for 20 years. 

Lady Helic is seen as a key person on 'Team Angie' as the actress braces herself for the aftermath of her decision to divorce Pitt.

A source told Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff that Lady Helic is 'smart, strong, and impeccably loyal', adding that she is Angelina's 'assistant, adviser and best friend'.

Angelina watched Lady Helic be admitted to the House of Lords in 2014. They often travel together; recent trips include a visit to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands and one to Burma at election time last summer.

Boshoff adds that the baroness’s place in Jolie’s inner circle is so central that she was with her when news of the divorce became public.