Nationwide — Gladys Knight’s son, Shanga Hankerson, says his mom has early dementia and has accused her husband, William McDowell, of elder abuse. He claims McDowell is making her proceed touring regardless of her declining well being.
Hankerson filed a criticism with the North Carolina Division of Human Companies, saying his mom’s ongoing performances on “The Queen’s Tour” are taking a toll. He believes McDowell is downplaying her struggles whereas she shares the stage with Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills.
He pointed to a live performance final summer season when Knight allegedly zoned out and forgot to sing her half. He additionally stated her character has shifted over the previous few years, altering from calm and mild to extra aggressive, particularly when confused about her location or her husband’s whereabouts.
“She’s being made to assume that she must work, and what which means is that he’s not going to be current together with her,” Hankerson stated, in accordance with The Root.
Hankerson recalled an incident final 12 months when Knight wandered from her resort and ended up throughout city. Workers acknowledged her however observed she couldn’t clearly clarify why she was there. They contacted her daughter, who reached out to longtime highway supervisor Larry Ward for assist.
Since submitting the criticism, Hankerson says he has acquired a number of textual content messages from McDowell. In a single, McDowell insisted Knight is “comfortable and beloved” and requested for peace. In one other, he warned that involving police or social providers may hurt what Knight is “making an attempt to keep up.”
McDowell additionally allegedly instructed Hankerson that Knight has “Sundowner’s Syndrome,” which might trigger confusion within the evenings. However Hankerson claims the household has been stored at nighttime about her medical visits and general situation.
Hankerson insists he isn’t making an attempt to sabotage the tour. He says he merely doesn’t need his mom touring and performing in her state.
“That’s my mother, I actually love her. And don’t care about her ever working a second longer whereas she’s alive. The path that she’s getting in is pushing her to her departure, and I don’t need to see that,” he stated.