The young girl featured in one of R. Kelly’s sex tapes, who was later revealed to be the niece of R&B Singer Sparkle, is cooperating with investigators in the child pornography case against Kelly.
What We Know:
- In the 2008 trial against Kelly, the girl in the tape and her family refused to testify against the singer, which led to the jury acquitting the singer. Sparkle, born Stephanie Edwards, was the only member from the girl’s family to testify against Kelly.
- According to The New York Times, the girl’s attorney Christopher L. Brown, said she made the decision to work with authorities days after Kelly was accused in a federal indictment of paying the girl and her father $2 million not to testify.
- “I’m beyond pleased to finally hear the mountain I’ve tirelessly worked on moving over the years is now being assisted with the help of my niece and her parents! Of course I’m in full unwavering support of them and their act of courage!” Edwards told the Times.
- The extent to which the woman is cooperating with authorities is unclear.
- The current charges against the singer claim that he had sexually assaulted 12 women, at least eight of whom were underage at the time. Prosecutors believe there are more than 12 women who were victims to Kelly’s abuse.
If convicted, Kelly would face a maximum of 195 years in prison.
