Dwight Howard Child Abuse: Police Reinvestigating Case

The local police of Cobb Country are revisiting the child abuse case involving Houston Rockets player Dwight Howard and his son, according to several reports.

ESPN said that the investigation was reopened because "New information reportedly emerged in the past 48 hours."

The case in question stems from "an incident from last summer in which Howard admitted to authorities that he had hit his child with a belt. He told police that he was disciplined in such a manner growing up and didn't realize it was wrong," ESPN noted further.

The Florida police claimed that they looked into the incident but noted that the investigation did not continue due to lack of evidence. A Fox Sports article added that the case was cleared even though there were medical findings that there were bruises and abrasions and Howard himself admitted to spanking his son.

In a statement, Howard's legal counsel, David Oscar Markus, said that they are confident that the case has no merit.

"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," Markus was quoted by ESPN as saying.

He added that the child's mother, Royce Reed, is "now shopping her baseless allegations" to the Georgia police after the case was closed by authorities in Florida.

"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," the lawyer added.

Markus also said that it is "appalling" to see the child's mother use her own son to ask money from his father. "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."

A similar USA Today report said that no arrests have been made but the investigation is already ongoing.

For the part of the NBA, executive vice president of communications Mike Bass told USA Today that they have been informed of the details surrounding this case.

"We are aware of the allegations concerning Dwight Howard and are in the process of independently gathering the facts," Bass added.