Anne Heche's son accused of abandoning autistic toddler by child's mother
Jessica Lamberto claims Homer Laffoon has failed to provide support for their young son Rocco, who requires specialist therapies following an autism diagnosis, as she launches a fundraising appeal amid an ongoing child support case.
Anne Heche’s eldest son Homer Laffoon has been accused of failing to support his young child after the boy was diagnosed with autism – with the toddler’s mother claiming she has been left to manage his extensive medical and developmental needs alone.
Homer, 24, whose actress mother died following a car crash in Los Angeles in August 2022, is the subject of an open child support case in Riverside County, California, according to Page Six.
His former friend Jessica Lamberto, 42, claims their son Rocco, who turns three this month, has autism spectrum disorder level two, global developmental delay and is nonverbal, requiring regular specialist treatment and substantial daily support.
Jessica told Page Six: “I’m still in shock with Rocco being diagnosed, even though I already knew. As a mother, I knew.”
She added: “But hearing it confirmed just shattered my heart.”
The mother said she was also awaiting the results of a recent MRI scan as doctors continued to assess Rocco’s developmental needs.
Jessica lives with her mother and son in Reche Canyon, California, and said much of her time is spent travelling between medical appointments and therapy sessions.
Rocco receives physical, occupational, speech and behavioural therapy, with Jessica describing a demanding schedule involving appointments “every day of the week”.
She accused Homer of having “failed” his only child and claimed he had “never, ever, ever” contacted her to enquire about the boy’s welfare.
Jessica also said she would “never forgive” him for what she alleges has been his absence from Rocco’s life.
Page Six reported Riverside County’s Department of Child Support Services had an open case involving Homer and Jessica.
According to correspondence described by the publication, officials informed Jessica in August that Homer had not yet been served with the relevant documents.
The department reportedly stated: “At this time, we may not have enough information to identify or locate the parent ordered to pay support.”
Jessica said she wanted to investigate additional specialist assessments, medical testing and nutritional support for her son, but claimed that some of the services she hoped to access were not covered by her health insurance.
She has consequently decided to launch a GoFundMe appeal to help pay for Rocco’s treatment and continuing care.
Describing the demands of raising her son without the involvement she says she needs from his father, Jessica said: “I’m just so burnt out. It’s nonstop. I don’t even feel like myself anymore. I’m so just mentally and emotionally exhausted. I can’t tell you how tired I am.”
Despite those difficulties, she emphasised Rocco’s condition did not define his personality or his relationship with his family.
She described him as “so much more than his diagnosis” and spoke about the affection and humour he brings to their home.
Jessica said: “He loves giving me huge morning hugs and laying his head on my chest. He makes silly faces and does funny little dances because he knows they will make me laugh.”
She added: “He loves being outside, helping his grandma water the garden, exploring flowers and plants, and going on evening walks with his German shepherd.”
Although Rocco does not yet communicate verbally, Jessica said he understands what she tells him and responds to the people around him.
She said: “He has a beautiful personality.”
Jessica added: “He loves deeply.”
Homer is the eldest son of Anne Heche, the actress best known for her performances in Donnie Brasco, Six Days, Seven Nights, Wag the Dog and the television series Men in Trees.
Anne also appeared in Volcano, Psycho and the soap opera Another World, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.
Her career included a highly publicised relationship with television presenter Ellen DeGeneres, 68, before she married cameraman Coleman “Coley” Laffoon, with whom she had Homer.
Anne later had a second son, Atlas Tupper, now 17, with Canadian actor James Tupper, 61, her co-star in Men in Trees.
The actress died aged 53 after her vehicle crashed into a house in Los Angeles, causing a fire that left her critically injured.
Following her death, Homer became involved in legal proceedings concerning the administration of her estate, with both him and Atlas named as equal beneficiaries.
Homer has subsequently worked as an executive assistant at the Los Angeles-based production company John Wells Productions.
Jessica said she discovered she was pregnant approximately six months after Anne’s death, when she and Homer were friends.
