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 grievance with the North Carolina Division of Human Providers, 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 time when Knight allegedly zoned out and forgot to sing her half. He additionally stated her persona has shifted over the previous few years, altering from calm and delicate to extra aggressive, particularly when confused about her location or her husband’s whereabouts.
“She’s being made to suppose that she must work, and what which means is that he’s not going to be current together with her,” Hankerson stated, in keeping with The Root.
Hankerson recalled an incident final yr when Knight wandered from her lodge and ended up throughout city. Employees 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 grievance, Hankerson says he has obtained a number of textual content messages from McDowell. In a single, McDowell insisted Knight is “completely satisfied and liked” and requested for peace. In one other, he warned that involving police or social companies may hurt what Knight is “making an attempt to take care of.”
McDowell additionally allegedly instructed Hankerson that Knight has “Sundowner’s Syndrome,” which may trigger confusion within the evenings. However Hankerson claims the household has been saved at the hours of darkness 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 wish to see that,” he stated.
