Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been legally established as the father of a baby girl, according to a recent family court order issued in New Jersey.
The order, handed down by Judge Aldo J. Russo on June 26 and obtained by DailyMail.com, mandates that Jefferson and the child’s mother, Andrea Galea, share joint legal custody of their daughter, who has been at the center of this paternity case.
Earlier this year, DailyMail.com reported that Galea accused Jefferson of pressuring her to terminate the pregnancy after she became pregnant in 2023. Galea refused and gave birth to their daughter, Stella, in December, as detailed in her paternity lawsuit. At that time, Jefferson’s attorney declined to comment on the accusation.
Both Jefferson and Galea requested paternity testing in their counterclaims filed in January. Galea also sought financial support and healthcare coverage from Jefferson, who has recently signed a lucrative four-year, $140 million contract with the Vikings, which includes $100 million guaranteed.
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In addition to his NFL career, Jefferson is one of the stars of Netflix’s new reality series “Receiver,” which follows five of the league’s top pass catchers.
According to the court order, Jefferson and Galea will share joint legal custody of their daughter, with specific arrangements for visitation and communication.
The order allows Jefferson to have FaceTime conversations with his daughter and denies his request to prevent Galea from taking their daughter on a trip to Italy. The order specifies that Galea can travel to Capri, Italy with their daughter from July 1 to July 12, 2024, and must provide Jefferson with a detailed itinerary by June 30, 2024.
Furthermore, the court emphasized the need for civil communication between the parents, stating, “All communication between the parties shall be in a non-derogatory, non-harassing manner only about the health, education, and well-being of the minor child. A party receiving a communication shall respond to that communication within 6 hours or less.”
Galea, a University of Miami Law School graduate and former LSU swimmer, first became romantically involved with Jefferson in 2019. They reconnected in April 2023, which led to the conception of their daughter. In her lawsuit, Galea claimed Jefferson pressured her to have an abortion and, upon her refusal, became increasingly insensitive and uncommunicative.
Text messages included in court filings reveal the tension between Jefferson and Galea during her pregnancy. In one message, Jefferson suggested using Plan B, the morning-after pill, to end the pregnancy. Galea responded that it was too late for the pill to be effective. She also claimed that Jefferson blocked her from contacting him and told her to only communicate when legal matters arose.
Despite the contentious relationship, the court has mandated that both parents cooperate for the well-being of their child. Galea, who graduated with honors from Miami Law, is now beginning her legal career while caring for her daughter with the support of her mother.
The court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle, ensuring that both parents remain involved in their daughter’s life while addressing the financial and custodial responsibilities necessary for her upbringing.
