NBA star Dwight Howard will not face criminal charges after an investigation into alleged child abuse, Atlanta police said Thursday.
“We are gratified that the Atlanta Police Department, after fully examining the frivolous allegations against Dwight Howard, has closed the case and decided not to proceed with charges,” David Oscar Markus, Howard’s attorney, said in an emailed statement. “Dwight Howard will continue to act in the best interest of his children and do whatever is necessary to protect their welfare.”
It was the second time police in two states have investigated the Houston Rockets center, but declined to charge him with anything.
Howard, 29, has a 7-year-old son with Royce Reed, a former star of the VH1 reality show “Basketball Wives,” who has reported the allegations to police in Florida and Atlanta. In September, the Florida Department of Children and Family Services closed the case against Howard, Markus said.
In November, Cobb County police confirmed Howard was under investigation for abuse allegations there, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Investigators determined the alleged abuse happened instead within Atlanta city limits, and the case was transferred to Atlanta police.
Atlanta police declined to pursue charges against Howard, Sgt. Greg Lyon said Thursday.
Howard attended Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy before entering the 2004 NBA draft. He played eight seasons with the Orlando Magic before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012. In July 2013, Howard signed to play with the Houston Rockets, who won their division title Wednesday night.
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