A Georgia court has denied an emergency request by Tiffany Render, the ex-girlfriend of former NBA star Dwight Howard, for temporary custody of their 15-year-old daughter, Layla.
Render filed the emergency custody modification on March 16, 2026, alleging that Layla feels “unsafe” in her father’s care and experiences fear and distress when returning to Howard’s home. The filing cited concerns about the teenager’s emotional wellbeing and safety, and referenced involvement by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS). Render included an affidavit from Layla stating that her mother had not threatened, encouraged or promised her anything in connection with the petition.
The court rejected the emergency order on March 17, 2026, ruling that “there are neither allegations nor evidence qualifying as emergent.” The decision also noted that Render “failed to file the controlling custody order she seeks to modify” and questioned whether the court had jurisdiction to grant the request. The ruling left open the possibility of reconsideration if additional supporting documentation is submitted.
Howard was awarded primary physical custody of Layla in January 2024 following prior disputes between the parents. The pair shares one child together, and their co-parenting history has included tensions over child support — reduced from $12,000 to $3,000 per month in a July 2023 agreement — and public criticisms from Render about Howard’s parenting.
The latest filing comes amid Howard’s ongoing divorce proceedings from his estranged wife, Amber Luciani. Howard filed for divorce on March 9, 2026, after a one-year marriage, citing the union as “irretrievably broken.” Luciani previously made allegations during an Instagram Live about Howard having a drug issue and claimed Child Protective Services had removed Layla from their home; Howard denied the drug accusation via Snapchat on March 11, stating, “Never done Coke in my life,” and urged followers not to believe online rumors.
Representatives for Render and Howard did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the custody ruling, according to reports.
Howard, a former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick who played 18 seasons in the league and won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, has five children with five different women. He shares no children with Luciani.
