Dwight Howard is known to have had several relationships in the past. He has five children with five different partners that he’s been with over the years. The ex-NBA star has only been married once but to none that he shares children with. However, while Dwight puts in the effort to take care of his children, he has a rough past with one of their mothers, Royce Reed.
Reed was a former cheerleader for the Orlando Magic and an actor. The former Los Angeles Lakers champion had his first child with her named Braylon. Reed and Howard never had a great relationship as he had continuously been facing legal issues involving her. Howard once filed a lawsuit against her over a decade ago, suing her for defamation. The case was ruled out in favor of Howard while Royce was asked to pay a legal fine every time she slandered her ex-partner.
But Royce Reed accused him of domestic violence later on. She told local authorities that Dwight Howard would physically abuse their son, Braylon. The authorities would go on to question Howard over these claims. He went on to admit his mistake claiming that he only hit Braylon to discipline him as it was what he was taught growing up. Howard did not face any charges and the case was withdrawn.
Royce Reed makes a shocking allegation about Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard previously dated a woman named Melissa Rios and had a child with her as well named David. Rios passed away in March 2020 due to an epileptic seizure. This was when Royce claimed Howard tried to reconcile with her. She said, “When she (Melissa) passed, we were all in quarantine together. I almost didn’t go. Cause I was dating the doctor, but almost didn’t go. I went when she passed because it was a bunch of ‘I’m sorry and I’m a changed man. The world is ending’.”
Dwight Howard’s baby mama predicting that some shit was about to go down 4 days ago is wild as hell 💀 pic.twitter.com/PEhxSVO2Tl
— KelleSZN (@KelleSZN20) July 20, 2023
She continued, “I just needed somewhere to quarantine. So we went and that’s when all the stuff about the matriarch and all these things. And him wanting this polygamous lifestyle and a lot of other inappropriate things that are happening at the house.” Reed claimed this was when she chose to walk out of the former NBA player’s life.
Reed went on to explain a darker truth behind his relationship with Melissa and David. She claimed that following Melissa’s death, he took away David from her parents promising that he would bring him back. Whereas in reality, Dwight allegedly made a false promise and never allowed David to see Melissa’s parents again. Amidst all of this, Reed has mentioned that Melissa’s mother has tried to reach out to David, while Howard carried on in life leaving the child with his parents.
According to Radar Online, Melissa’s mother Edelmira Rios filed a lawsuit to regain custody of David. However, Howard issued a statement claiming he allowed her to visit the child whenever she felt like it. This ultimately dissolved the case that was raised by Edelmira, who only wanted a visitation schedule to be set up. Royce Reed’s story has gained a lot of attention online as it contradicts Howard’s statements.