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Jason Biggs’ ex-wife hits back at critics over 'creepy' photos with her 12-year-old son
Asiya A.
Jason Biggs' ex-wife, Jenny Mollen, has addressed critics after facing backlash over photos she shared with her 12-year-old son, Sid.
The actress and author, 47, took to Instagram on May 25 to share two pictures showing herself cuddling her eldest child while lying on a bed.
In the images, Mollen is seen lying on top of Sid with her hands around the back of his head. In one photo, she rests her head next to his on the sheets, while both of their faces are covered.
A second image shows Sid linking his fingers in front of his mother's face, again covering both of their faces.
Critics label the photos as 'creepy'
The post quickly garnered attention online, with some social media users slamming the images.
One commenter wrote: "This is creepy and wildly inappropriate." Another added: "This is so disturbing."
A third person wrote: "Very weird thing to do and post," and a fourth commented: "This isn’t 'cuddling'… it’s just not."
Others rushed to the Crash actress' defense. "WHY ya’ll have to make this weird. So many kids grow up with out the love and affection of their parents. Having a noshy snug with your mom, is one of the best feelings in the world," one supporter wrote.
A second chimed in: "You judgemental dummies. You are sexualizing a hug because of your own insecurities. A parent who changes in front of their child isn't being a sick person, just like a hug with their child is just a hug. Relax, touch some grass or smoke some. Sheesh."
A source also defended the photos, telling PEOPLE: "The picture is nothing more than a mother hugging her 12-year-old son. Anyone inferring anything else should be ashamed of themselves."
Mollen addresses the criticism
Commenters also noticed that Mollen had changed the original caption on the post, replacing it with a simple period.
When one person referenced the original caption in the comments section, Mollen explained: "I said your eldest will be the most toxic bf you ever have. I stand by this!"
The backlash appears to have caught the Angel actress off guard, as according to Entertainment Weekly, she later shared her thoughts in a series of Instagram Stories.
"It's like because I'm getting separated, because I'm not protected by the institution of marriage, I'm suddenly like a different kind of target in what I'm posting. Like this is absolutely jaw-dropping. A photo of me hugging my 12-year-old child is getting ridiculed," she wrote.
Her sister-in-law, who appeared to be the American Pie actor's sibling, also supported Mollen and defended her as a mother simply hugging her son.
"As a teacher, I can tell you this, it's totally normal," she said of showing affection to your little ones. "And if your child isn't doing that, then I'm sorry they're not able to show affection. And any parent knows that what you see in that photo is not going to last long because my nephew is not going to be doing that that much longer," she said.
Recent split from Jason Biggs
The posts come just weeks after news broke that Mollen and Biggs had ended their marriage.
A representative for the former couple confirmed that they had separated after 18 years of marriage.
Despite the split, the pair reportedly remain on good terms and are focused on raising their two sons, Sid and eight-year-old Lazlo.
"They are very much connected," an insider said of Biggs and Mollen's future as coparents. "I have no doubt that they will remain on excellent terms."