Former NBA star Dwight Howard is making headlines after his wife, Amy Luciani, shared a social media video alleging that Child Protective Services removed their daughter from their home.
In the clip, which circulated online before being deleted, Luciani claimed authorities had visited the couple’s home multiple times in recent months.
“CPS has been here three times in less than three months,” she said.
Luciani said she initially tried to remain supportive of her husband despite concerns about what was happening inside the home.
“You know I am so private, so private. It hurt me so bad to have to even protect myself in this type of way. But my marriage has landed me in a very dangerous position. My stepdaughter was just taken by CPS because of her father. CPS and the police have been here three times in less than three months and I stood in it with my husband even though I was scared for my own self.”
Luciani also described the impact the situation has had on the children.
“But it’s not even about me, it’s about the kids. The stuff that I have to go through with the kids. I have to be witnesses to, the police at the house, they’re asking me questions.”
Elsewhere in the video, Luciani appeared to accuse the retired NBA player of substance abuse.
“I’ve been trying to tell everybody, he needs some help,” she said. “Nobody wanted to listen because he’s got the money. I live with him, and he needs some help.”
She added, “This is what I’m losing my marriage to,” while holding up a small bag containing a white substance.
The allegations drew reactions from Howard’s 17-year-old son, Braylon Howard.
“My Mama crazy, my side of the family crazy, I’m crazy, my sister crazy, my brother crazy, you feel me?” Braylon said in a video shared online Sunday. “I hope you getting the help you need, but I told y ‘all, man. My mama did too, especially. But, it gets to a point, you just… You gotta learn to deal with certain things as you get older, bro. Hey man, that’s something right there I will never do, but you got it, bro, I’ve been known, I’ve been known.”
Braylon’s mother, Royce Reed, also addressed the situation after Luciani’s video began circulating online.
“Until you do right by me, it’s always been about the kids, bitch,” Reed said. “It’s always been about the kids. … You said I was jealous. You said I wanted him when it’s always been about the damn kids and now you want to sit here and cry and sit here and be like ‘It’s because what everybody else did to him.’ No! It’s because of what he does to other people, shit. I was just f$#king first.”
Howard has not publicly responded to the allegations. However, reports indicate that he has filed for divorce.