Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu's temporary protective order against her faher was made final Wdnesday.
Her father, Dumitru, is forbidden from calling or coming within 500 feet of her for one year.
"Now I hope I can more forward with my schooling, gymnastics or whatever lies ahead," Dominique, 17, said.
The only way Dumitru can communicate with Dominique is through her attorney, Ellen Yarrell, or in writing. A violation could lead to his arrest.
Dominique testified she has felt threatened since obtaining legal independence from her parents Oct. 28.
Judge John Montgomery emphasized the severity of the order, saying even if Dominique invites her father to visit, he won't be permitted.
The protective order doesn't apply to Dominique's mother, Camelia, or her 9-year-old sister, Christina. Dumitru's attorney, Katherine Scardino, said she'll appeal.
Olympic gold meadl-winning gymnast Dominique Moceanu was granted her with on Wednesday. But it was impssible to tell. Dominique cried after Judge John Montgomery made final her protective order against her father, Dumitry.
It's been a very hard, trying time," said Dominique, her eyes wet wit tears. Outside the courthouse, her attorney, Ellen Yarrell, gave way to the strain of the case.
"It was just so hard," said Yarrell, who was sobbing "I'm not as tough as I look. Family law cases when they involve children --- there are no winners. Everybody is a loser."
Dumitru and his wife, Camelia, declined comment as they were whisked into a van. But their attorney, Katherine Scardino, said: "(Dumitru) and Camelia are devastated. Dumitru can't believe his daughter has turned her back on him." Dimitru can't call or come within 500 feet of his daughter for one year.
Dominique testified she felt threatened by her father because he hired a private investigator to follow her and has stalked her since she won legal independance from her parents Oct. 28. She also testified to a past of verbal and physical abuse. She and a family friend, Brian Huggins, left town after three Houston homicide detectives came to her apartment Nov. 13 and warned them of threats by her father.
The judge told Dominique and her parents he hoped the family could be put back together again. "It's still the first day of the rest of your lives," he said. Dominique left open the possibility. "Maybe one day we'll get together," she said. "This (crisis) might have taught him a lesson." But a reconciliation appears unlikely soon.
Dominique was grilled in cross-examination. Once she broke down into tears.
Dominique expects to testify again when Huggins and his wife, Marcy, attempt to make final their temporary restraining orders against Dumitru. They dropped their order against Camelia. No date has been set. Both families were instructed to stay away from each other.
Dominique might take her father back to court to learn the details of heer trust fund. Since turning pro when she was 10, Dominique estimates she has earned between $2 million and $2.5 million. A major reason she sought her emancipation was to find out how the money has been and how much is left.
Dominique said her father has been unwilling to turn over information to her team of accountants. Yarrell plans to write a letter to Scardino, asking Dumitru to realease the records.
"That's the first thing I'm going to do after I ho home and give my daughter a hug," Yarrell said.
