Cobb police reopen abuse case against Dwight Howard

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County police confirm officers are investigating an NBA star after allegations of abuse.

Officers are taking a second look at months-old allegations against Atlanta native and Houston Rockets player Dwight Howard.

The mother of his 7-year-old son believes he went too far punishing the child. She says the incident happened in Cobb County while Howard was visiting a friend with his son in tow.

A Florida children's agency investigated, but declined to file charges. On a social media page, the boy’s mother Royce Reed contended that the case was far from closed, the investigation is still open and that Howard refuses to speak with police.

Cobb police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News they have re-opened an investigation they had essentially closed in early October because new information had come forward.

It is unclear if Cobb investigators have interviewed Howard. His team is in the middle of a road trip, but Howard's Miami-based attorney sent Channel 2 Action News a statement, saying Howard had been cleared in Florida and will be cleared in Cobb County.

The statement reads “Royce Reed is now shopping her baseless allegations to authorities in Georgia after the Florida DCF case was closed.  It is appalling to see a mother use her son as a pawn against his father in attempt to extract money, which is what is happening in this case.”

Sources familiar with the case told Channel 2 that Cobb County's second look into the domestic violence case will likely be a quick one and will not require Howard to return to the metro Atlanta area.

He's next scheduled to be back in town when the Rockets visit the Hawks in March.

WSBTV