Just when NBA Houston Rockets superstar Dwight Howard (pictured) thought he was in the clear of all child abuse allegations involving his 6-year-old son that were brought forth by his ex-girl and baby mama, reality star, Royce Reed, now the athlete is reportedly under investigation again for the same charges but in another state according to TMZ.
Reed, who starred in the now defunct VH-1 reality show, “Basketball Wives” alleged Howard whipped their young son, Braylon, with a belt and the act left the child with visible injuries. The abuse charges were initially investigated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Florida, who also interviewed Howard. After the probe, the agency closed the case concluding that there not enough evidence to warrant any further action.
The Florida DCF documents that TMZ reportedly obtained however, states that the boy exhibited, “linear bruise and patterned abrasions consistent with the history given by Braylon of being struck with a belt numerous times by his father.” The report went on to note that the injuries were “consistent with Braylon being struck with the buckle end of the belt … with excessive force, resulting in soft tissue injuries such as bruising and abrasions.” According to TMZ, the examining doctor mentioned in the DCF report, Dr. Kesler, thereby concluded that the injuries sustained by Braylon go hand-in-hand with a diagnosis of “physical abuse.”
SEE ALSO: NBA Superstar Dwight Howard Cleared of Child Abuse Charges
Howard was not charged after the investigation. However, it’s unclear how that determination was made given the doctor’s report.
TMZ states that Cobbs County, Georgia detectives reportedly read the story regarding Dr. Kesler’s conclusion of child abuse with regards to Braylon and now the case has picked up steam again. Since the actual incident took place in Georgia, law enforcement in the state is reportedly picking up the ball that Florida reportedly dropped with regards to the abuse allegations.
An unidentified law enforcement official reportedly spoke to the celeb site stating,”People who were not so forthcoming before today [Monday] have been.” According to the source, several interviews have already taken place regarding the Howard allegations and now the case “has now been raised to top of the list.”
Howard’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, however is not fretting over the latest child abuse probes implicating his client telling TMZ that Reed is “shopping her baseless allegations” to Georgia authorities even though Florida’s DCF found that her allegations had “no merit.”
The the 6’11,” 28-year-old player did allegedly admit to spanking his son with a belt and stated, he did not think it was wrong because he was disciplined in the same manner as a child.
As previously reported, Howard is not the only pro athlete who is in hot water over corporal punishment. NFL player Adrian Peterson also admitted to “disciplining his son” using a wooden switch, setting off a media firestorm and leading to his suspension without pay.
