LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Emani Asghedom and Nipsey Hussle attend the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The exhausting struggle between late rapper Nipsey Hussle’s family and the mother of his child, Tanisha Foster continues as his family attempts to block Foster from having full custody of 13-year-old Emani, Radar reports.
Nipsey’s family asked a court this week to deny Tanisha Foster’s request she originally submitted in 2019 to have custody of their daughter. They point out the mother admitted to issues with substance abuse and alcohol in the same year she made the request, 2019.
Allegedly, Foster’s substance use was confirmed by Nipsey’s sister Samantha and a Children’s Social Worker named Rosa. The outlet says her admission was included in a Probate Investigator’s Report that was field with the court.
Nipsey’s sister previously told the court that in May 2019, Tanisha allegedly showed up at Emani’s school under the influence.
It was recommended in the report that Tanisha not be appointed due to alleged issues with alcohol. Being unemployed at the time and having no stable housing were also contributing factors—as were he multiple evictions.
While Tanisha may now have stable housing, they say she still remains “unsuitable” to act as guardian of Emani’s estate. Investigator also noted that Tanisha struggled with periods of homelessness and refused to identify her boyfriend at the time, or any other people she lived with.
The late rapper’s brother, Sam Ashghedom aka Blacc Sam, had told the court about one incident where Tanisha allegedly assaulted someone while Emani was present. He said after an investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services, she lost her children. Sam added that Tanisha often lived in homes where strangers are present and “engaging in harmful behaviors including drug and alcohol use.”
The loving brother of Nipsey also pointed to 4 or 5 vehicles that Nipsey had purchased Tanisha but she had either crashed or totaled, “which may have included her driving under the influence.”
“Obviously, the behavior summarized herein endangered Emani’s well-being, but such behavior also makes Ms. Foster wholly unfit to act as guardian of the estate, and be able to manage Emani’s inheritance expected to exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000),” the filing notes.
The family said Tanisha’s history of substance abuse and past involvement of DCFS should be reason enough to deny her petition. The parties are expected to face off in court early next year.
Not all hope is lost for Tanisha, who wrote in her 2019 declaration for her daughter back that she still is there to take Emani to school.
“I have continued to be an active part of Emani’s life. She spends the night with me often, I take her to school, and I continue to do the things a parent would do with their child. I am very unhappy that the guardians will not take my calls. They have blocked me on their cell phones. I have to go through a third party or Emani to communicate with the guardians.”
She added,
“There are no circumstances or events in my life that would disqualify me for regaining my exclusive role as Emani’s parent. There is no longer any need for guardianship. Emani routinely asks me when are she and I going to be able to live together. She longs to be with me as her mother. I am begging the court to terminate the existing guardianship.”
Nipsey left behind Emani, and a son named Kross who he had with his girlfriend Lauren London. The two children are the only beneficiaries of the estate and are expected to receive at least $2 million. Both families are expected to face off in court early next year.
