Kevin P. Chavous: College Readiness Is More Than Academics
Dwyane Wade's legal battles continue as he stands trial in a Chicago court to gain custody of his two sons from ex-wife, Siohvaughn.
The Miami Heat player spent five hours in a courtroom on Monday, defending himself and his lifestyle against Siohvaughn's legal team and answering a barrage of questions from his own attorneys.
Wade occasionally used quips to respond to a line of questioning, while Siohvaughn gave very succinct "yes" and "no" answers.
The former MVP told the judge he has feared for his two young son's lives in the hands of his ex-wife. He discussed how his oldest son was taken to an emergency room because he complained of headaches and his ex didn't inform him until a day later. The children were scheduled for a court-ordered weekend visit with Wade in Miami at the time.
"I got really afraid because I realized Siohvaughn ... is not the Siohvaughn I know now," he said. "I thought that she probably took them away, that she probably hurt herself or the kids."
Later during the trial, Siohvaughn's lawyer questioned Wade, and he admitted that he played a basketball game the night the children were supposed to arrive and that he'd never had any indication that his former wife was going to hurt herself or the children.
Siohvaughn's lawyers are also contending that Wade's schedule is just too demanding to accommodate raising his children full-time.
Wade, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, admitted, "I've been able to party a little more," with regards to not having his children on a full-time basis. The $14-million-a-year player, though, also stressed that he would make schedule adjustments in order to be with his children and claimed he would make sure his children maintained a relationship with their mother:
"It's always been my goal for both of us to make decisions for our kids," Wade said. "But first," he said, "She needs to get healthy. She needs to get help with her anger," he said. "Her rage just shows a lot."
The couple has been involved in a much-publicized ugly divorce, with each of their antics becoming front page fodder for hungry journalists. Now in a court battle that is expected to drag on for at least a month, more mudslinging from both camps have made it difficult to choose sides over who is truly the better parent.
Wade, a superstar on and off the courts, has accused his former high school sweetheart of being mentally unstable. Wade says that Siohvaughn has exhibited threatening behavior, had extramarital affairs, used abusive parenting methods against their kids, abused him physically and has refused to let him see his boys.
Wade also alleges that his ex has resorted to exercising "alternative avenues of worship that are completely outside of the status quo," when it comes to how the children are to be spiritually raised. At one point during their divorce proceedings, Wade revealed that his sister, Tragil, went to Siohvaughn's home to pick up the boys and discovered a cult-like gathering of Siohvaughn's friends praying for Siohvaughn's salvation in a circle.
Siohvaughn has hurled quite a few lit torches at her ex-hubby as well. She has accused Wade of "extreme and repeated mental cruelty" toward her and abandoning his children; has contended that the kids are afraid to be around their dad; and also alleged that Wade uses drugs, drinks, owns guns and has even engaged in sexual acts in front of the children with film star gal pal Gabrielle Union.
Both Siohvaughn and Wade deny each other's allegations.
When the trial first began on September 14th, Wade admitted that he was saddened by the legal turn-of-events:
"It's very unfortunate that we have to be here and that our family name is being dragged through this litigation," he said after court adjourned for the day.
Even Judge Renee Goldfarb, who is presiding over the trial, expressed concern that the dispute could hurt the two boys.
Unfortunately, Wade and Siohvaughn will continue to take the stand and so the saga continues.
Comments: (7)
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By: mnsming on 10/19/2010 11:46AM
"It's very unfortunate that we have to be here and that our family name is being dragged through this litigation," he said after court adjourned for the day. I am female, 20,a young and big beautiful woman in US,i just wonder if i can meet a man who can love me here,because i am single at present and i need someone’s support..i uploaded my hot photos on kissbbw.com under the name nancy099,maybe you want to check out my photos first!
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By: TERRY on 10/20/2010 5:26PM
ILL SEE IF I CAN HELP IF YOU ARE SERIOUS , WARNING I'M NO DUMMY , BRTR7 AT AOL
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By: Deans on 10/20/2010 12:48PM
Remember the words ADULT ALIENATION SYNDROME; it is when one parent tries to keep the other parent from seeing their kids, to the point that they ever teach the child against the other parent. It is rampant in our country. Sometimes under the slang name baby mama or baby daddy drama issues. These parents have lost sight of the fact theses children have to grow up; and they will have some serious mental issues. They are being taught mistrust, devaluation (only one parent loves them, the other is no good), mulnipulation and they only need one parent. Read and give your kids the book, "I dont want to have to choose", a help books for kids that lets them know they are equally important to each parent and loved. The parents need to look for help in books that are $5. like mommy's house and daddy's house (how to part and let our kids be whole.) there is also a book with same title for kids.
PARENTIAL ALIENATION is real, it destroys family ties, and makes for some messed up adults. If you are thinking of fighting with your ex over your kids read the book "Adult Children of Parential alienation"; it is a book about adult telling how PAS messed up their childhood and has damaaged their adult lives; it tells of lies they told that put an innocent parent in jail; the many ways they acted out; they just wanted to please the home parent or get more attention; and be shocked at the damage you can do to your children with your drama. Some fathers give up fighting and walk away. Kids need more than their dollar support to be healthy. Some mothers are demonized into leaving their kids. Sometimes inlaws and other family members help with this devision. Stop and think, it is NOT about you, but your children. They need both parents, it took two to make them. As a responsible parent your anger should not be in the picture when making decissions about your children. Stop using your children to get your way. Stop keeping kids from the absent parent. Stop bad mouthing your ex in front of your kids and stop fussing in front of your kids. Kids practice what they see, and will start believing it and start playing the home parent like a fiddle. They will take sides and blame the other parent for all bad. they will visit and have a good time and come home and say they had a bad time to make the home parent feel better. they will be rude to visiting parent and cry to come home, because they are taught he or she is bad or mean. Don't allow your child or some one you know to fall into this sink hole. You dont need the court drama if you finally realize it is NOT about you, but the children! Read and be informed, it is a lot cheaper than letting others like lawyers and judges think for you.
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By: SHANNLINWO on 10/20/2010 1:56PM
Awwwwwwww hush she will not hurt the children. Whats with all the lies, are you trying to get away without paying all that child support or what! Let the mom nurture the children...shes best to raise them and you can do your part by being active in their lives. I hope you do not plan on running their mom trhough the mud so you can avoid paying your support. Dwyane please do whats right concerning the kids and their mom. It's worse enough you guys are divorcing then to try and put the kids through all kinds of mess is worse. I say ....stop the mess and move on for the sake of the children.
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By: siscue on 10/20/2010 10:54PM
I feel badly for the kids sakes. Not only in this particular situation, but any that puts children in the middle of the adult chaos. The children suffer and really have no choice in the matter & have to watch their parents fight, fight, fight! I can't judge what the problem is between Wade & his wife, but i hope the children get through without too many emotional problems. It's a sad thing most of all to see yet another child burdened with the adult madness.
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By: siscue on 10/20/2010 10:59PM
But she IS hurting the kids! And so is Wade. When will people learn... it's about the children! Have a heart parents!
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By: acura2010 on 10/25/2010 2:36PM
You're absolutely right dwayne Wade, your wife is not the same person you knew when you had nothing. Money and the celebrity life sure has changed Mr. Wade. I understand Mr. Wade just fell out of love with his wife because they knew each other since they were teens. But don't pushed this woman against the wall and make her out to be a bad mother. Before Mr. Wade should continue with any other relationship with another woman, he truly needs to help his ex-wife to get through this trauma. Please don't dust your feet on her, help her through this period of losing of self-esteem. Mr. Wade, you do owe her this much sanity.
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