It seems Dwight Howard is finding it difficult to put police investigations behind him, with the Cobb County Police in Georgia re-opening an investigation about an alleged abuse of a child, coming shortly after a Florida case against Howard abusing his own son was dropped.
The police have said the investigation has been re-opened because of new evidence. The Florida case was dropped despite the fact that a doctor found it appeared as if Howard’s son was struck multiple times by a belt and that the injuries were consistent with the level considered as abuse. According to Howard, and this is where it relates to Adrian Peterson, he did hit his son with a belt but didn’t think it was wrong because it was how he was raised.
Howard’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, released a statement via USA Today, suggesting this will all go away, just like the Florida case.
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.
(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.
Adrian Peterson has just been suspended for the entire season from the NFL, and probably won’t be playing for the Minnesota Vikings in the future, maybe not in the league ever again. Things are still far from clear on how severe the charges are on Howard and whether or not this will turn into something more than an allegation. The NBA isn’t suspending him, and neither are the Rockets.
But child abuse is once again in the headlines instead of sports. That’s not good for the NBA, as it was disastrous in terms of PR for the NFL. Financially, it only hurt the culprits, not the teams or the league. It’s still a big vague as to whether or not it will have the same consequences in the NBA, with a more loved commissioner and not a wave of player violence plaguing the league.