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R. Kelly’s daughter, Buku Abi, is publicly addressing the alleged abuse she endured during her childhood in the new documentary Karma: A Daughter’s Journey. In the final moments of the two-episode series, it is revealed that she reported the abuse to her mother, Andrea, in 2009 when she was just 10 years old.
In the documentary, Buku Abi, born Joann Kelly, shares her emotional struggle with believing the abuse she faced from her father, R. Kelly. She recounts feeling scared to tell anyone, including her mother. While she doesn’t provide specific details about the abuse in the first episode, she expresses that she believes prison is a fitting place for her father, based on her personal experiences.
R. Kelly’s daughter Buku, recounting her experience of alleged sexual abuse as a child. After disclosing the abuse to her mother, she and her siblings stopped visiting a certain place (presumably where the abuse occurred). She describes waking up to being touched inappropriately when she was 8 or 9 years old, and pretending to be asleep out of fear and confusion. Buku and her mother reported the incident to the police as “Jane Doe,” but no prosecution occurred due to the delay in reporting. The experience left Buku feeling that speaking up about the abuse was futile.
In a statement to PEOPLE, R. Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, denied the allegations made by his daughter, Buku Abi, claiming they were previously investigated and found unfounded. She also noted that the filmmakers did not reach out to Kelly or his team for a response. Kelly recently pleaded not guilty in a Chicago courtroom. He is currently serving concurrent sentences totaling 50 years for child pornography and sex trafficking, with eligibility for release in 2045. The documentary Karma: A Daughter’s Journey explores the impact of his legal troubles on his family, including his ex-wife Andrea and their children, as they navigate life after his arrest and prepare for new beginnings.
In Part 1 of Karma: A Daughter’s Journey, Andrea recounts the traumatic night she left R. Kelly, taking their three children to live with her father, whom they had never met due to Kelly’s controlling behavior. Buku Abi shares her struggles living in her father’s shadow, revealing feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. She recalls a moment in a Target bathroom when her mother discovered her self-harm, prompting a heartfelt conversation about her struggles. The family expresses satisfaction with Kelly’s lengthy prison sentence, with Robert Jr. stating that actions have consequences and Jaah echoing that sentiment. The documentary is currently streaming on TVEI.
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