Tiffany Render is speaking out after a judge denied her request for emergency custody of her and Dwight Howard’s daughter, Layla, earlier this week.
Render filed documents on March 16 alleging that the 15-year-old has repeatedly said she feels “fearful” and “distressed” while at her father’s home.
The request was denied the next day, with the court stating it did not qualify as an emergency and noting that key details were missing.
On March 19, Render addressed the situation in a lengthy Instagram post.
“I went to have lunch with my daughter as the last few weeks have been extremely exhausting for a 15yr old girl who simply wants to feel safe, heard, and close to her mother,” she began.
The post included a photo of Render alongside Howard and their daughter taken during a recent lunch at Layla’s new school. Render claimed the image was “calculated to give a false and fake happy family narrative.”
She also alleged that Layla was transferred to the same school Howard attended from pre-K through 12th grade, calling the move “strategic.”
According to Render, the change came after Layla spoke with counselors and coaches at her previous school about feeling “emotional distress, sadness, loneliness, and feeling neglected.”
She claimed that, instead of receiving support, Howard removed Layla from her school, changed her phone number, and later pulled her from both her volleyball and basketball teams.
Render further alleged that the former NBA player also took away their daughter’s phone in an effort to limit her communication.
“When a child cries out for help, they deserve to be protected, not dismissed & hidden,” she wrote, adding that an incident on March 5 was “not random,” but the result of Layla reaching a breaking point.
The concerned mom also pointed to what she says is a signed affidavit in which Layla states she feels unsafe and wants to live with her.
“My daughter cried out for help. She stood in her truth. Backed by a signed affidavit where Layla said herself, she feels unsafe & wants to live with her Mother. Money and connections has gotten a lot of things swept under the rug but, my daughter is not a thing, she’s a 15yr old with feelings, not a basketball game that you just want to win,” Render wrote.
She said she had remained quiet for years to protect her daughter but is now asking for help.
“I’m not to proud to say I need help. I don’t know where to turn. Please send resources or referrals.”
Howard has not publicly responded to the allegations.
