Howard has previously admitted he hit his child with a belt…
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According to multiple media reports, police have re-opened a child abuse investigation involving Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard.
The investigation relates to an incident which occurred last summer in which Howard admitted to the authorities that he used a belt to hit his child, but he added to police that he was disciplined in the same manner growing up and was unaware that it was wrong.
Nevertheless, after investigating, police did not proceed with the investigation because of a lack of evidence, however, new information is understood to have emerged which has seen Cobb County re-open the case.
However, no details have been released at this stage and Howard has not been charged with a crime or arrested, and his attorney delivered a damning statement on the child’s mother.
“The Florida Department of Children and Families thoroughly examined all of the evidence and determined that the claims of child abuse were not substantiated. The case was closed in September,” David Oscar Markus said.
“[The child’s mother] Royce Reed is now shopping her baseless allegations to authorities in Georgia after the Florida DCF case was closed. Even though the allegations have already been found to have no merit, when a complaint about the welfare of a child is made to law enforcement, an investigation is commenced. We are confident the Georgia authorities will reach the same conclusion as the Florida authorities. The truth is on our side.
“It is appalling to see a mother use her son as a pawn against his father in attempt to extract money, which is what is happening in this case. While Royce Reed continues on her aimless quest with the media, Dwight Howard will continue to act in the best interest of his children and do whatever is necessary to protect them.”
NBA vice president of communications Mike Bass noted that the league is aware of the allegations and that they are in turn in the process of independently gathering the facts.
At this stage though, they are unlikely to take any action against Howard until the case has progressed, if it indeed turns out to have some substance.
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