Rockets Center Dwight Howard Not Facing Child Abuse Charges

Atlanta Rockets center Dwight Howard will not be facing child abuse charges as the authorities have decided not to pursue the case anymore.

Yahoo Sports said Howard was investigated late last year because allegedly, he hurt his son physically, his way of disciplining his then-6-year-old son, Braylon.

It noted that it was the boy's mother, Royce Reed, who filed the complaint against Howard when he allegedly hit his son with a belt.

The police, according to Sports Illustrated, confirmed last November that Howard was being investigated in relation to an incident during summer of 2014, but the same report noted that the Atlanta Police, which is now handling the case, will not move forward with it.

In an e-mail to Fox 26, Sgt. Gregory Lyon confirmed the decision of the Atlanta Police department saying "we are not moving forward with charges in this case."

Reacting to this development, the basketball star's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, said that they are "pleased" with the decision of the police.

"We are gratified that the Atlanta Police Department, after fully examining the frivolous allegations against Dwight Howard, has closed the case and decided not to proceed with charges. Dwight Howard will continue to act in the best interest of his children and do whatever is necessary to protect their welfare," Markus was quoted by Fox 26 as saying.

It was also noted on Yahoo Sports that Howard filed a motion to gain custody of his son last year but this is still pending with the courts.

In an interview with TMZ, friends of Reed said that she is furious with the decision of the police not to pursue the child abuse case since allegedly, his son is still afraid and terrified of his father.

"She's extremely upset by the way the system neglected to defend her son. She never asked for Dwight to be arrested. She asked for him to get help and take parenting classes. Her child is terrified of his father," a source close to Reed told TMZ.

When asked for comment, Dwight's camp said,"It is sad that Royce Reed continues to use her son as a pawn with the media, despite court orders prohibiting her from doing so," Dwight's lawyer added, as noted on TMZ.

Struggling with injuries throughout the season, Yahoo Sports said Howard missed 37 games because of an injured right knee. He was only able to return to the game two and a half weeks ago but only had a limited time in playing the games.

"He's performed well in that curbed action, though, averaging 13.8 points on 66.2 percent shooting to go with nine rebounds and just under two combined blocks and steals per contest, including three straight double-doubles," Yahoo Sports added.