Dwight Howard 'gravely concerned' for teen daughter Layla's safety, requests urgent custody hearing

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dwight Howard requested that the court hold an urgent hearing in order to address his worries that his daughter, 13, had been taken advantage of by her mother.

In his lawsuit against Tiffany Render, the former NBA player requested an expedited hearing, according to court records.

Howard demanded physical custody of Layla Lo'Ren

Howard demanded earlier this month that Render be stripped of physical custody and that he be granted sole physical custody of Layla Lo'Ren Howard.

Render was given physical custody, but Howard shared legal custody prior to the lawsuit, as reported by Radar Online.

He accused Render of not telling him about their daughter's move from Georgia to Florida in his filing.

He further asserted that Render had neglected to confer with him on matters pertaining to Layla's education and other significant life choices.

Additionally, Howard stated that his daughter uploaded "inappropriate" TikTok videos.

He claimed to have seen videos of his daughter "flipping off" the camera, as well as "videos of the Minor Child, scantily clad and/or in age-inappropriate clothing, with vulgar, sexual songs playing in the background, wherein the Minor Child is making sexually inappropriate gestures and innuendo."

Howard claims Render 'exploited' their daughter

Howard claimed that by letting their daughter film an episode of 'Basketball Wives Orlando', Render "exploited" their daughter. In his new motion, his lawyer said, “[Howard] is gravely concerned for the safety and well-being of the Minor Child in [Render’s] care and custody. [Howard] requests that this Court award him primary physical custody of the Minor Child and final decision-making authority in all areas on an expedited, temporary and permanent basis.”

The lawyer added, “It is not in the best interest of the Minor Child to continue to live with [Render], as [Render] has failed and refused to place the needs of the Minor Child as a priority.”

Howard wants daughter to testify

Howard requested permission for his daughter to speak with the judge. “[Howard] shows that the Minor Child is not represented in this action and that it would be in the Minor Child’s best interest to be heard directly by the Court so her rights can be protected herein to the fullest extent possible,” his motion read. Howard said his daughter is competent to testify.

Apart from the custody dispute, a man named Stephen Harper has sued Howard for allegedly assaulting him.

Harper claimed to have gone to see Howard for sex. But he said that after Howard introduced a man posing as a woman named Kitty, the former NBA player allegedly forced him to commit a sexual act, turning the encounter into a violent altercation.

Howard maintained the meeting was consensual and refuted the accusations of assault.