James Brown may have passed away, but his legacy survives with his music. He also lives on through his children — or, at least, the search for them.
Recently, DNA tests proved another person to be a child of the late soul singer, the third confirmation since Brown died last Christmas Day.
Buddy Dallas, a long-time advisor to the Godfather of Soul, told the Augusta Chronicle on August 20 that the newly confirmed child is a woman but did not reveal any further details. He added that there have been about a dozen DNA tests performed, with others still to come, as there are still others not ruled out as Brown’s children.
Brown’s will, which currently is being challenged in court, names six children. DNA testing has approved LaRhonda Petitt, 45, a retired flight attendant and teacher in Houston. According to the test, there’s a 99.99% chance in favor of Brown being her father. The Chronicle also reported a woman in Florida confirmed as one of Brown’s children but didn’t reveal her identity as per her own request.
The soul superstar’s backup singer, Tomi Rae Hynie, claims that she was Brown’s fourth wife. Her son James Brown II, 6, may also be Brown’s child. But Brown didn’t include Hynie or James II in his will. He reportedly denied that James II was his son, according to Dallas, and his lawyers still disagree with Hynie’s claim.
Robert Rosen, Hynie’s lawyer, told the Associated Press that she wants all Brown’s children to be treated equally. “If all the children agree to a DNA test,” he said, “she will consent to one for James II.” He added that a private guardian also is opposed to a DNA test for the boy.
Brown was 73 years old when he died of heart failure.
For some general advice on parenting without a partner (an experience seemingly shared by a number of James Brown’s exes), click here.
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