This is such a sad story.
Ex-NBA player Ben Gordon has admitted he has had suicidal thoughts and multiple mental health issues over the years, but that doesn’t excuse him from physically assaulting his son in this manner at the airport.
Until he gets his life in the order, he should have no more contact with his son. Here are the grim details via the New York Post.
Former NBA player Ben Gordon allegedly punched his 10-year-old son in the face multiple times because the child dropped a book inside LaGuardia Airport, according to new details unveiled in court documents Tuesday.
An American Airlines employee told police she witnessed the former shooting guard punching the boy and yelling at him after he dropped a book on the floor of LaGuardia Airport Monday night, the criminal complaint states.
Gordon, 39, was charged with two counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of assault in the third degree, criminal contempt in the first degree, criminal contempt in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child, attempted assault in the third degree and resisting arrest at an arraignment Tuesday night in Queens Criminal Court.
Judge Edwin Novillo set bail at $20,000 cash, $50,000 insurance bond or $50,000 partially secured bond at 10%.
The Mount Vernon native — who earned an estimated $84 million during his NBA career — was unable to immediately post bail and will spend the night at Rikers Island. He is expected to post bail and be released by the morning.
Gordon’s son was treated at Long Island Jewish Children’s Hospital, police said.
The boy has an order of protection out against his father dating back to May 2018, according to the complaint. The order, issued in Illinois, prohibits Gordon from “committing physical abuse, harassment, or the interference with personal liberty” against his son.
The order of protection also prohibits Gordon from removing his son from the state of Illinois.
When one of the Port Authority cops tried to cuff Gordon, he “flailed his arms and twisted his body” and reportedly told the officers “I am not going with you guys,” according to the complaint.
Later, when the two officers attempted to get the 6-foot-3 basketball player into their patrol car, he allegedly pushed his weight against them — injuring one cop’s knee and the other’s arm and wrist, the document states.
Flip the page for more of this sad story.