R. Kelly appears in court for child support hearing

Wednesday, March 13, 2019
CHICAGO -- R. Kelly returned to court Wednesday morning for a child support hearing. Over the weekend, Kelly left Cook County Jail after friends and family paid $161,000 in back child support he owed to his ex-wife Drea Kelly.

It's unclear exactly what happened in court because details on the child support case are under seal. Attorneys are forbidden from talking about it.

WATCH: R.Kelly arrives for child support court hearing
R. Kelly arrives for child support court


But Kelly's publicist, Darrell Johnson, said the R&B singer can't afford the hefty payments for his three children because he's not working. Kelly also shared how difficult his legal issues have been on him.

"I'm not really listening to rumors. I'm just dealing with the situation at hand, the real situation, which is my case, which I'm looking forward to," Kelly said.

Drea Kelly was not in court Wednesday. She was interviewed by ABC7's Cheryl Burton last fall.

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"She is focusing on her advocacy for domestic violence and she is getting a lot from that and she is very thankful for all the support she has received from people," said Alison Motta, her attorney.

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Kelly contends bad publicity from his ex-wife and others have significantly curbed his ability to work as a R&B singer.

"If you can't play a show, if you can't go out on tour, if they are not streaming your music anymore, obviously you are going to have financial problems," said Steve Greenberg, R. Kelly's attorney.

Johnson confirmed Wednesday that Chicago police officers responded the night before night to a complaint about a suicide pact and sex trafficking at the singer's Trump Tower apartment. He said the allegations were false and the officers were not allowed inside.

"Yesterday they (Kelly's girlfriends, Jocelyn Savage and Azriel Clary) were out walking - I guess you don't recognize them, I guess, nobody cares to put them on camera. They walk through the mall, they go get makeup, they shop, they eat, without body guards, on their own. All day, every day," Johnson said.

Clary's parents spoke Wednesday morning on CBS News.

"We never denied responsibility," said Angelo Clary, Azriel's father. "I feel like I failed my daughter, because I should have saw a different signs. I should have saw the change in my baby girl."

Kelly's attorney, Steve Greenberg, said Wednesday that he would like to make one point clear: Jocelyn Savage and Azriel Clary are willing to meet with their families.

He said the families should contact him to set up a meeting. Greenberg also said Kelly's girlfriends are only willing to meet with them in Chicago.

Over the weekend, Kelly was released from Cook County Jail after friends and family paid $161,000 in back child support he owed to his ex-wife, Drea Kelly. That amount was the minimum owed, but his debt continues to accrue.

RAW VIDEO: R. Kelly walks out of jail


Kelly also faces ten counts of criminal sex abuse in Cook County for allegedly abusing four young women, three of whom were underage at the time. Kelly pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In addition, there is an investigation in Detroit into sexual misconduct with a 13-year-old girl.

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As Kelly left court Wednesday, he said he loves his fans. The Grammy-winning artist has sold more than 40 million albums in his career.

Kelly is due back in criminal court on Cook County sex abuse charges on March 22. His child support case is continued until May as the money Kelly owes to his ex-wife continues to accrue.
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