Kehlani's Ex, Javaughn Young-White, Denies Claims in Custody Filing, Focuses on 'Advocacy of My Child's Wellbeing'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kehlani, Javaughn Young-White.Photo:Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Leon Bennett/Getty

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Leon Bennett/Getty

“These documents contained general recollections from my initial consultation with my aforementioned rep. They were filed with choice language I didn’t okay. I regret they were included,” Young-White alleges.

Referencing the Regla de Ocha religion that Kehlani was previously part of, Young-White says he was misinformed about happenings within the church.

“When I was presented with the allegations against Neto and his church, my daughter was no longer affiliated. However, I was still deeply distressed about the direct care of my child. From my perspective, I was being told the consequences of alarming decision-making that could have ended quite differently.”

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Acknowledging the “After Hours” singer and Adeya’s time with the church, he alleges, “I advocated for my child’s agency as I would about any sudden lifestyle shift or new parental custodians. I could not stop anything due to the intentional, ongoing state of my parental custody and documentation. I was disregarded.”

Young-White claims that his previous counsel, who were responsible for the filing, moved forward despite the fact the filing was “never approved for submission.”

“To be clear: the explicit wording of this account did not have my approval either. There are other concerns that encourage me to prioritize issues of custody and documentation,” Young-White states.

“As a father, I could never have anticipated that such serious allegations would be so careless. I still believe my alarm was proportionate to the information I received from the trusted parties. However, I deeply regret and apologize for any role I played in perpetuating these claims. I hope Priest Neto, his family, and affected members of the church receive just restoration.”

“I am looking forward to continuing the advocacy of my child’s wellbeing,” he concludes.

Young-White’s previous counsel did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The guitarist’s recent statement elaborates on claims madeon Instagramon Tuesday, Aug. 6, which Kehlani later reshared on her Instagram Stories.

“I never said that I think Santería is a sex cult,” Young-White clarified. “Nor did I say my daughter is in a sex cult. That’s factually incorrect and I think it’s disgusting that [the media] would exploit a child’s image like that.”

“I strongly deny any claims that I have put my child in harm’s way, or left my child alone with anyone deemed dangerous or unsafe,” Kehlani wrote. “I also do 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,” she continued. “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.”

Kehlani said that this situation is a “legal, private, familial matter” and that she is now “taking space for my own personal well-being and, most importantly, for the well-being of my child.”

source: people.com