Ruling Stuns Gymnast, Parents

Thursday June 03, 1999 12:00 AM EDT

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

After gaining a permanent restraining order against her father, Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu says she still loves her family and hopes the ruling will ultimately prove to be beneficial. "I love my mother and sister and deep down, my dad," Moceanu told the Associated Press. "Maybe in a year he'll change." After four hours of testimony in a Houston courtroom Wednesday that included allegations of stalking and a murder-for-hire plot, District Judge John Montgomery ruled that Dumitru Moceanu cannot get within 500 feet of his 17-year-old daughter for a year. Moceanu also cannot threaten or have his daughter followed in any way and can only contact her through letters or an attorney.

The ruling sent the 1996 gold medalist into tears, while her father appeared stunned. "I was sad," Moceanu said. "It was a sad day." Moceanu and his wife, Camelia, declined comment after the hearing. Their attorney described the couple as "devastated."