Read Anthony Edwards’ Alleged Texts Urging Ayesha Howard to ‘Get an Abortion’ Being Used as Evidence.
Anthony Edwards’ ex, Ayesha Howard, has submitted alleged text messages from the NBA star urging her to "get da [sic] abortion" as part of their contentious court battle.
Ayesha, 36, filed a bombshell declaration, while fighting Anthony's efforts to have a Georgia judge determine paternity and child support. Ayesha gave birth to their daughter, Aubri Summers Howard, in October 2024. Anthony, 23, filed legal documents in Georgia, requesting a DNA test to confirm paternity of the baby. He also asked the court to determine child support if the test proved him to be the father.
In response, Ayesha opposed Anthony’s case being filed in Georgia and filed her own paternity case in California. She asked the court for both legal and physical custody of her daughter, along with child support. Anthony has criticized Ayesha for filing in California, accusing her of engaging in "deceitful or manipulative actions." He questioned her move to Los Angeles, suggesting that she was trying to establish jurisdiction in California to potentially receive higher child support than what Georgia would offer, which he believed was the correct state for the case. He also pointed out that Ayesha's son, who she shares with rapper Lil Baby, lives in Georgia.
Los Angeles Superior Court
In her declaration, Ayesha responded to Anthony’s doubts about her living situation and his attempts to have her case dismissed. She explained how she met Anthony in 2022, stating, “Over the course of our relationship, we spent time together in various cities while he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and during his off-season. In January 2024, I discovered that I was pregnant with his child.”
Los Angeles Superior Court
Ayesha claimed Anthony was not happy when she told him about the pregnancy, revealing, “Upon informing Anthony of the pregnancy, he blocked me on all communication platforms and made it clear, through text messages, that he did not want to be involved in the life of our child. His exact words were that our daughter would be a ‘fatherless child.’”
Ayesha further explained, “From that point on, Anthony never reached out to me to inquire about my well-being, the well-being of our child, or any of the needs I had during my pregnancy. I did not receive any support—emotional, financial, or otherwise—throughout the entire duration of my pregnancy.”
In an alleged text, Ayesha wrote, “I’m pregnant … wanted to tell you in person but you gave me no other choice. We probably should have kept it cordial but we’re here now.” In response, Anthony allegedly texted back, “Ok lol. Get da abortion lol.” Ayesha is said to have replied, “I don’t need hush money, my intentions aren’t to blackmail you in anyway. I’m being upfront and honest. I’m not getting an abortion it’s not an option. I can keep you updated through the process or I can disappear until the babies here it’s on you. Either way I’m done going back and forward cause you think it’s a joke.” Anthony allegedly responded with “Omg bye,” followed by several laughing emojis.
Later, Ayesha reportedly texted, “Not bye … see ya later!” and in another exchange, asked, “Anthony do you hate me?” Anthony allegedly replied, “Because you bringing a child in the world that’s gone be without a father.” Ayesha then wrote back, “I’m not asking you to be with me in anyway shape form or fashion and if you choose to be a complete ghost to your seed that’s totally up to you. That’s something you’ll have to take up with a higher power. Hard to believe when you’ve fathered a kid outside of your own … But we are clear on how you feel.”
Los Angeles Superior Court
Anthony allegedly replied, “I won’t be in a child life I don’t want lol.” He then added, “You are sick,” accompanied by three laughing emojis.
In her declaration, Ayesha revealed she repeatedly tried to discuss the paternity of “our child,” requesting a DNA test, but Anthony only offered a non-legal, unsupervised testing method, which made her uncomfortable and distrustful. Ayesha wrote, “This was clearly designed to avoid his identification and minimize any accountability. Given Anthony’s prior behavior and public scandals involving paternity issues, I understandably declined this informal approach.”
Ayesha also claimed she tried several times to resolve the situation "amicably and privately." She further stated, “I asked Anthony directly to assist me through the pregnancy, to help provide for the needs of our child, and to participate in a DNA test to confirm paternity. However, Anthony continued to avoid me and refused to engage in any meaningful way.”
Ayesha added, “Anthony’s behavior toward me is part of a disturbing pattern of neglect and irresponsibility, particularly in his role as a father. He has fathered multiple children with different women in a short period of time and has been involved in serious scandals.”
Ayesha also detailed that she was unaware of Anthony’s other children before the pregnancy, claiming, “I was completely unaware of any of Anthony’s children outside of the one we were expecting together, and discovering all of this when I was six months pregnant was a huge shock to the conscience.”
In regard to California, Ayesha argued that it is not only her home but the place where she and her daughter have built their lives. She explained, “California is not only my home but the place where my daughter and I have established our lives. We have deep roots here, and everything I have done in the past two years has been built around this state.”
Ayesha admitted she travels to Georgia to visit her son, Jason, “who is under the care of my family.” She added that Jason lives with her sister while she works.
Ayesha claimed that a DNA test Anthony submitted to in December 2024 confirmed that Aubri is indeed his daughter. She spoke about the impact of his refusal to engage, stating, “Anthony’s continued refusal to engage with me or offer any support throughout my pregnancy and after the birth of our child has left me in an extraordinarily difficult position. The strain of fighting two court cases, combined with the financial burden of both legal battles, has been overwhelming, especially while I’ve had to care for our newborn on my own.”
The emotional toll was clear in her statement: “The weight of it all has truly taken a toll on me. I feel as though I have not had the opportunity to fully connect with my baby, to look into her eyes and truly appreciate the miracle she is. Instead of being able to embrace the joy and beauty of becoming a new mother, I have been consumed by stress and uncertainty.”
Anthony filed a response to the court on February 11, disputing Ayesha’s claims. He stated that her declaration lacked evidence to support her residency claim and was filled with "misleading statements, omissions, and outright fabrications." Anthony’s lawyer argued that Ayesha had prenatal medical care in Georgia in spring 2024 and was represented by counsel in Georgia when discussions about DNA testing occurred. The attorney also claimed that Ayesha was attempting to manipulate the situation to secure a higher child support order by fabricating a false reality.
A judge has yet to rule on the matter.
