The family of former Atlantan Joycelyn Savage, who refers to herself as R. Kelly's girlfriend, attempted to console her after her Chicago court appearance on a battery charge Thursday. According to video footage, the 24-year-old ignored her family's plea to talk to her outside the Cook County court.
Savage, who had been living in Kelly's Chicago home in Trump Tower, pleaded not guilty Thursday on the misdemeanor domestic battery count against her. Authorities say she punched and kicked Azriel Clary, Kelly's former girlfriend, in brawl earlier this month.
»MORE: Joycelyn Savage charged after brawl with Azriel Clary at R. Kelly's Chicago condo
Much of the fight, which happened Jan. 8, was caught on an Instagram Live. The hearing will continue in February because Clary could not appear in court Thursday.
As Savage left court Thursday afternoon, her mother Jonjelyn Savage approached her and yelled to Savage "I need to talk to you," according to footage shot by TMZ. Savage appeared to ignore her mother and scurried to a nearby car. Her sister called out to her "look at the documentary...he's lying," apparently referring to Kelly.
Gerald Griggs, Atlanta attorney for the family, told TMZ the family is still concerned about Savage’s well-being. The family says she has been “completely different from the Joycelyn they have known her entire life” since connecting with Kelly.
The embattled singer faces federal charges in Chicago and New York and state charges in Illinois and Minnesota, and he is remains jailed without bond in Chicago.
He's due to stand trial in April in Chicago on federal charges alleging, among other things, that he and two former employees paid off witnesses and victims to fix his 2008 child pornography trial.
»MORE: Family of alleged victim Joycelyn Savage responds to R. Kelly interview
According to previous reports, Savage has not had a relationship with her family in years. She had lived in a condo with Clary while in relationship with Kelly. Clary has moved out after the battle earlier this month.
Judge Megan Goldish agreed with a request by Savage's attorney to allow Savage to return to the downtown Chicago high-rise for her things after confirming that Clary no longer lives there.
During a news conference last March, Savage’s mom and father, Timothy Savage, pleaded for their daughter to remove herself from Kelly’s grip.
“From day 1, the only thing we want to do is hear from our daughter and know she’s fine…that she’s healthy, safe and sound,” Timothy Savage said.
Jonjelyn Savage added:
“If you’re seeing this message, please know I love you. Nothing that we’ve done was to embarrass you, it’s because we care about your well-being. We won’t stop until we have our answers and make sure you’re safe and sound.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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