An arrest warrant has been issued for Tanisha Foster, the mother of Nipsey Hussle’s 10-year-old daughter, Emani.
TMZ broke the news on Monday (May 20) after Foster reportedly missed a court appearance last week over a DUI case. According to the site, Foster was charged with a DUI in Los Angeles a few years back. She pled no contest to one of the charges and was sentenced to 3 years probation.
However, due to her absence in court last Wednesday (May 15), her probation was revoked and a bench warrant was issued. All of this comes on the heels of a contentious custody battle brewing between Foster and Hussle’s sister, Samantha Smith.
As previously reported, Smith filed a petition seeking legal guardianship for Emani in the wake of Hussle’s untimely passing. Sources told TMZ Smith believes Foster is “unable to care for” her daughter and feels the decision would “ensure the continued stability for Emani and ensure that she will be able to maintain her current and ongoing relationship” with Hussle’s family.
On Tuesday (May 14), Foster reportedly broke down in tears at the custody hearing while expressing her desire to be in her daughter’s life. Foster was allowed a 20-minute private visit with Emani after her lawyer, Larry Lewellyn, told the judge his client hadn’t seen her child “in months.” A new hearing was set for Friday (May 17).
According to TMZ, Foster has had previous run-in’s with the law prior to her DUI arrest. In 2006, she was arrested for resisting arrested and disturbing the peace. A year later, Foster was reportedly arrested for vandalism, annoying phone calls and disturbing the peace. She completed her probation and the charges were ultimately dismissed.
Foster and Hussle shared joint custody of Emani before he was gunned down in March in front of his Marathon clothing store. “She was primarily with her dad, but the father never kept her away from her mother,” Foster’s attorney told press outside the courtroom. Lewellyn noted Foster wants “what is best” for her daughter although she has “every legal right” to full custody.
More on this story as it develops.