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Howard investigated on child abuse allegations
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Police in Cobb County, Ga., outside Atlanta reopened an investigation into allegations that Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard abused his 7-year-old son.
The Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families in Florida contacted Cobb County officials to look into the case after more details became available in the past day, according to reports.
An initial investigation by police did not uncover enough evidence to to continue pursuing the case.
No arrests have been made or charges filed. The alleged incident took place on Oct. 1.
According to a doctor, the child was struck on multiple occasions with the buckle end of a belt, but there were “no substantiated findings of physical injuries.”
Howard apparently told police after the incident that he hit his child with a belt because he said that’s the way he was raised and didn’t realize it was wrong.
“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,” Howard’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said in a statement. “(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.”
Howard is an Atlanta native who has played in the NBA for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and the Rockets.
