Amanza Smith has been granted sole legal custody of her two children, daughter Noah and son Braker.
The 43-year-old Selling Sunset star was granted sole legal custody of her kids at a hearing in Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to an E! report.
Her ex-husband, former NFL player Ralph Brown, did not appear at the hearing, with Brown believed to have been missing for two years.
Custody: Amanza Smith has been granted sole legal custody of her two children, daughter Noah and son Braker
Sole: The 43-year-old Selling Sunset star was granted sole legal custody of her kids at a hearing in Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to an E! report
Missing: Her ex-husband, former NFL player Ralph Brown, did not appear at the hearing, with Brown believed to have been missing for two years
‘I’m relieved that this long process is over, it’s been incredibly hard on me and especially the children,’ Smith said in a statement.
‘We will never be “over” the absence of their father, but hopefully we can move forward in a more positive way now that we are unhindered by the legal obstacles that prevented me from making the decisions that are best for us as a family of three,’ she added.
Smith’s PR reps clarified that this action was ‘incredibly difficult process was sadly necessary’ because she was never able to fully support her kids since she shared joint custody with Brown, who she hasn’t spoken to in over two years and cannot locate him.
Relieved: ‘I’m relieved that this long process is over, it’s been incredibly hard on me and especially the children,’ Smith said in a statement
Difficult: Smith’s PR reps clarified that this action was ‘incredibly difficult process was sadly necessary’ because she was never able to fully support her kids since she shared joint custody with Brown, who she hasn’t spoken to in over two years and cannot locate him
The reality star filed for full custody in June 2021, stating in the documents that she hasn’t seen him since November 2019.
‘His disappearance has been such a mystery that both my attorney and I have been contacted by various reporters seeking information on his whereabouts,’ she said.
‘I have made several efforts to have him located, and do believe I may have a good idea as to where he is (although I have no confirmed factual knowledge),’ she added.
Custody: The reality star filed for full custody in June 2021, stating in the documents that she hasn’t seen him since November 2019
She also claimed he hasn’t paid child support in over five years, adding that he told her in a September 2019 email that he, ‘did not have the stability nor finances to keep the kids.’
What’s more, Smith also claimed that Brown’s family have ‘blocked’ her when she asked them for help in trying to find him.
‘It’s the most bizarre, heartbreaking [thing]. For my kids, because it’s not just their dad, it’s that whole side of the family has just disappeared,’ she said.
No child support: She also claimed he hasn’t paid child support in over five years, adding that he told her in a September 2019 email that he, ‘did not have the stability nor finances to keep the kids’
‘In my mind it’s like, okay, if he’s had some sort of mental breakdown or—he played in the NFL for 11 years, I have to wonder if maybe it’s CTE. Those are real things,’ she said.
Smith and Brown tied the knot in 2010 but split in 2012, with Smith alleging that Brown paid child support for a year and a half, but stopped because he, ‘blew through all his money’ from his NFL days.
Brown said in court documents that he was borrowing money from family and friends to, ‘support and supply the kids with their needs even at times when I did not have money or food for myself.’
Breakdown: ‘In my mind it’s like, okay, if he’s had some sort of mental breakdown or—he played in the NFL for 11 years, I have to wonder if maybe it’s CTE. Those are real things,’ she said
No money: Smith and Brown tied the knot in 2010 but split in 2012, with Smith alleging that Brown paid child support for a year and a half, but stopped because he, ‘blew through all his money’ from his NFL days
