NBA star Dwight Howard is under criminal investigation for child abuse, according to multiple news reports, after allegedly beating his seven-year-old son.
Cobb County (Ga.) officials have opened an active criminal investigation into allegations that the 28-year-old athlete beat son Braylon with a belt buckle.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Florida had previously determined there wasn't enough evidence of child abuse to proceed in the case.
However, it turns out the incident occurred in Georgia, and Howard admits he hit his kid, but says he didn't know it was wrong because he was hit as a kid.
Previously, the Georgia officials had asked the Florida DCF for the case file, but the latter didn't respond, so the case lagged and nothing came of it.
Everything changed this week. That's when TMZ posted a doctor's findings strongly suggesting that the Houston Rockets center committed child abuse.
A Georgia law enforcement source said that interviews have been conducted and individuals crucial to the case who hadn't been forthcoming now are.
Howard's attorney, meanwhile, is pointing the finger at baby mama Royce Reed, saying she's "shopping her baseless allegations" to Georgia authorities.
Dwight's lawyer said the case has "no merit," however DCF found the allegations "credible" - just not up to the standard of proof required for formal action.
The attorney says "the truth is on our side" and that the case will end similarly in Georgia, but for now its future remains wide open and quite uncertain.
Howard and Royce Reed, a former dancer with his former employer, the Orlando Magic, have been infamously at odds for years over various issues.
Royce attempted to join the cast of Basketball Wives, only to be stonewalled by the NBA star. Reed gave birth to Howard's first child back in 2007.
Not unlike fellow accused child abuser Adrian Peterson, Howard has at least five baby mamas in all, with some sources claiming six or even eight.
Lance Armstrong denied it and denied it, but he eventually came clean: yes, he cheated to win every Tour de France.
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