Usher maintains primary custody of kids after drowning incident
Usher's ex-wife Tameka Foster has lost her bid for primary custody of their two children after their eldest son almost drowned in the R&B superstar's swimming pool on Monday (05Aug13).
The Yeah! hitmaker faced off with Foster in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday (09Aug13), days after five-year-old Usher Raymond V ended up in a hospital intensive care unit after getting his arm stuck in a pool drain while trying to retrieve a toy.
Foster, who has limited custodial rights, appealed to a judge to
review their current custody arrangements amid accusations the
singer had abdicated his parental responsibilities by letting his
aunt, Rena Oden, and a maid look after their kids at the time of
the incident.
During Friday's emergency hearing, Foster claimed the pool accident
was an example of Usher's inattentiveness as a father and insisted
he failed to employ a competent caretaker for their boys in leaving
them with Oden.
Taking the witness stand, Foster told Judge John J. Goger, "I'm
just thankful that my son is alive... I think she (Rena) is a nice
person but a nanny? No."
She then broke down in tears as she admitted she was unsure if
little Usher, who remains in hospital, had suffered any permanent
brain or heart damage as a result of the near-fatal incident.
The singer challenged the allegations when it was his turn to give
evidence, revealing he had urged doctors to keep the youngster
under observation until they were completely sure he would be
OK.
He also claimed the children had been thriving under his care and
argued that the accident could have happened to anyone.
Judge Goger agreed with Usher and allowed the musician to maintain
primary custody, although he warned the star to "keep your former
spouse informed about your whereabouts and who is taking care of
the kids".
After the emotional hearing, Usher attempted to smooth over
relations with Foster, aka Tameka Raymond, by giving her a tender
hug and repeatedly whispering, "I'm sorry" into her ear.