Dwight Howard’s Custody Battle Explodes: Ex Says Daughter Hasn’t Been Returned [Video]

The ongoing legal storm surrounding former NBA star Dwight Howard has taken a heartbreaking turn this month as the mother of his daughter went public with serious claims.

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Following a messy split from his estranged wife, Amy Luciani, Howard is now facing a new wave of accusations from his ex, Tiffany Render, regarding the whereabouts of their 15-year-old daughter, Layla. The situation escalated when Render took to Instagram to suggest that Layla had not been returned to her care. When a follower asked if the two had finally reunited, Render replied, “No, she isn’t yet,” fueling reports that Child Protective Services (CPS) still has the teen. These comments follow Luciani’s recent claims that authorities removed the child from Howard’s Georgia home due to an unsafe environment.

Luciani, who is currently divorcing the basketball veteran, previously posted emotional videos accusing Howard of a cocaine addiction and claiming she had to call the police on him several times. Howard has since denied the drug use on social media, telling fans he has “never done coke” and describing the marriage as “irretrievably broken.”

Render’s recent posts add more fuel to the fire. She accused Howard of moving Layla to a new school to “silence her” after the teen reportedly spoke up about her struggles. According to Render, Howard also took away Layla’s phone and pulled her from her sports teams.

To back up her claims, Render shared a signed affidavit from February 12, 2026, where Layla stated she wants to live with her mother. Render also thanked Luciani for speaking out about the CPS situation, showing that the two women are on the same page regarding their concerns.

While Howard’s team continues to deny the allegations of neglect and substance abuse, the involvement of state authorities suggests this legal fight is nowhere near over.