Last November, on the heels of Adrian Peterson's own child abuse allegations, Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard was investigated by the Florida Department of Children and Families and Atlanta Police Department after former Orlando Magic dancer Royce Reed, an ex-girlfriend of Howard's, accused him of beating their 6-year-old son Braylon.
Although Florida's report stated that a doctor's examination of Braylon found "soft tissue injuries such as bruising and abrasions" that were "consistent with a medical diagnosis of physical abuse," the case was closed without any charges being filed. Howard admitted to striking his son with a belt, because that's how his parents brought him up. He also accused Reed of trying to "extract money" from him.
When Atlanta's cops learned that the abuse had allegedly taken place in Howard's hometown, they opened their own investigation. FOX26 Sports in Houston is reporting that the Atlanta PD won't be moving forward with any child abuse charges either.
"I can confirm we are not moving forward with charges in this case," said Sergeant Gregory Lyon in an email.
Well, there you go, America: Where a medical diagnosis of physical abuse doesn't add up to a legal punishment for physical abuse.
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[via FOX26 Sports]
