Bill O’Reilly of Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor, lost his petition that sought to reverse an earlier ruling assigning full custody of his two children to his ex-wife, Maureen McPhilmy.

The ruling upheld a Nassau County Supreme Court decision that granted full custody of the 12-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl to McPhilmy.

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Bill O’Reilly Maureen McPhilmy

“Viewing the totality of the circumstances, there is a sound and substantial basis for the Supreme Court’s determination that it is in the best interests of the children for the mother to be awarded primary residential custody,” the Appellate Division Second Judicial Department court stated. “Particularly relevant in this case are the clearly stated preferences of the children, especially considering their age and maturity, and the quality of the home environment provided by the mother.”

Court transcripts published last May showed that the girl told a court-appointed psychologist that O’Reilly “was choking her mom or had his hands around her neck and dragged her down some stairs.”

Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and wife Maureen arrived at the 20th annual Barnstable Brown Gala on Friday, May 2, 2008 at the Brown home in Louisville, Ky. Proceeds from the gala benefit diabetes research. The party theme was Fantasia.

No charges were brought against O’Reilly as a result of the accused domestic assault.

(Photo: Lexington Herald Leader/ZUMA Press)