Colin Farrell explains ‘tricky’ decision to put son James, 21, with Angelman syndrome in long-term care facility

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Colin Farrell is elaborating on a giant parenting determination he made.

The “Penguin” star, 48, revealed in a brand new interview with Candis journal that he and his ex, mannequin Kim Bordenave, put their 21-year-old son James, who suffers from Angelman syndrome, in a long-term care facility.

“It’s difficult – some dad and mom will say, ‘I wish to maintain my youngster myself’, and I respect that,” mentioned Farrell, per The Impartial.

Colin Farrell together with his son James. Warner Bros

“However my horror can be, what if I've a coronary heart assault tomorrow, and, God forbid, James’ mom, Kim, has a automobile crash and she or he’s taken too – after which James is on his personal?” he added. “[He’d be] a ward of the state. And he goes the place? We’d don't have any say in it.”

Farrell mentioned the previous couple are attempting to “discover someplace we like the place he can go now, whereas we’re nonetheless alive and wholesome, that we will go and go to, and we will take him out generally”.

Colin Farrell on the 2025 Critics Selection Awards. FilmMagic

Colin Farrell’s son James. Kim Bordenave/Instagram

James Farrell has Angelman syndrome. Kim Bordenave/Instagram

“We would like him to search out someplace the place he can have a full and joyful life, the place he feels related,” Farrell shared of his son. “By going out within the van daily and going to the grocery store and doing the purchasing collectively. By going to the seaside, museums, films, all that stuff. Only a related life.”

Angelman syndrome is a uncommon neurogenetic dysfunction that causes delayed growth and issues with motion, steadiness and speech, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic.

James was recognized with Angelman syndrome when he was simply 2 1/2 years outdated.

Colin Farrell with Kim Bordenave and his sister Claudine on the 2003 Academy Awards. Getty Pictures

Colin Farrell and Kim Bordenave in LA in February 2003. GC Pictures

Farrell and Bordenave, 53, filed for a conservatorship of their son in 2021 earlier than his 18th birthday.

Final yr, the actor launched the Colin Farrell Basis, which goals to offer assist for grownup kids with mental disabilities, in James’ honor.

James Farrell. Kim Bordenave/Instagram

“As soon as your youngster turns 21, they’re form of on their very own,” Farrell advised Folks in Aug. 2024. “All of the safeguards which might be put in place, particular ed courses, that each one goes away, so that you’re left with a younger grownup who must be an built-in a part of our trendy society and as a rule is left behind.”

Colin Farrell on the “Killing of a Sacred Deer” premiere on the 61st BFI London Movie Pageant in 2017. WireImage

The “Banshees of Inisherin” star additionally recalled studying of James’ prognosis and the way he reacted to the information from the docs.

“I keep in mind the primary two questions I requested had been, ‘What’s the life expectancy and the way a lot ache is concerned?’” Farrell defined. “And the physician mentioned, ‘Life expectancy, so far as we will inform, is identical for you and for me, and ache, no.’”