Kehlani requests restraining order against ex-boyfriend amid child custody battle
Kehlani is fighting back in court amid a custody battle with her former partner.
The R&B star filed a temporary restraining order against ex-boyfriend Javaughn Young-White in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday, according to court documents obtained Tuesday by USA TODAY.
The new filing comes two weeks after Young-White filed a petition demanding full custody of their daughter Adeya, who they welcomed in 2019.
Young-White is barred from contacting Kehlani and Adeya for the duration of the court-granted order, including communications via phone and email. The 27-year-old has also been ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the mother-daughter pair, Kehlani’s home, and Adeya's school or childcare facility.
Kehlani retains full physical and legal custody of Adeya while the restraining order is in effect.
Kehlani speaks out: R&B star denies allegation she is member of a 'cult' amid custody battle with ex
In an attached court order, commissioner Jeffrey W. Korn ruled there was a risk of child abduction in the case, citing Young-White’s history of abuse against Kehlani and lack of cooperation in co-parenting. Young-White’s abuse of the “Crash” singer was not specified in the filing.
As a result, Young-White has been prohibited from traveling with Adeya outside California or applying for passports and other travel-related documents. The guitarist also cannot possess or purchase firearms and ammunition, per the terms of the restraining order.
A hearing for Kehlani’s restraining order request is set to be held Sept. 3.
Kehlani’s ex alleges singer is a member of a ‘cult’ in custody complaint
In his July 24 complaint against Kehlani, Young-White claimed the Grammy-nominated singer has been a member of a cult in recent years and that the group "controls her actions and her behavior, including when it comes to the upbringing of our daughter."
Young-White said he was prohibited from seeing Adeya for months because the cult's alleged leader, Neto, informed Kehlani he had a vision that Young-White "was a danger to our daughter and would kill her."
Kehlani’s ex also claimed their 5-year-old daughter is left under the care of the cult's members when the singer is traveling on tour.
Young-White requested full custody of Adeya due to Kehlani’s "busy schedule, her relationship with the cult that she is involved in and the fact that she told me that she has been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder."
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He also demanded a psychological evaluation of Kehlani to verify the status of her mental health.
"I am not here to disparage (Kehlani)," Young-White said in the filing. "However, the environment that she has created for herself is not the type of environment that a child should be living and therefore, I bring myself to the mercy and wisdom of the court to save my daughter before it is too late."
Kehlani responds to ex's 'cult' allegations
In a lengthy statement posted to her Instagram Stories last week, Kehlani said she "strongly den(ies) any claims that I have put my child in harm's way or left my child alone with anyone deemed dangerous or unsafe."
Regarding Young-White's claim of her membership in a cult, Kehlani said she does "not align with any of the allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media."
"I have always taken great care to ensure that my child remains protected and safe at all times," Kehlani said. "My child and my commitment to motherhood have always been my sole driving forces in this life and will always remain so. This is who I am and what I have always been focused on."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kehlani requests restraining order against ex amid custody battle
