Devon Still’s ex-girlfriend Channing Smythe has accused the Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman of refusing to pay child support. Smythe is the mother of Leah Still, the 4-year-old girl who is battling pediatric cancer and has captured the hearts of millions across the world.
In a letter from her attorney to the NFL, Smythe alleges that Still has refused to pay months of child support and has left her and Leah on the brink of homelessness. Smythe told the NY Daily News that she lives in New York with Leah and has had to borrow cars to take the young girl to her appointments and treatments.
“I don’t consider him a deadbeat dad,” Smythe said Wednesday. “I know he loves and cares for his daughter and he is there for her. I just need him to help me financially.
“I have an outstanding medical bill for Leah for an ambulance for her. I have been unable to pay the ambulance bill, and it is not covered under insurance. If I were receiving child support for Leah I would be able to pay this bill, but since Leah’s father is refusing to provide child support I am unable to pay the bill for the ambulance.”
Still, who split with Smythe after Leah was born in April 2010, is now engaged to another woman. He responded to the NY Daily News story on Twitter Wednesday night.
@NYDNSports "Truth allows you to live with integrity. Everything you do and say shows the world who you really are. Let it be the Truth."
— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) November 26, 2014
Smythe said that she knows Still loves Leah and appreciates the way he spends time with her, but added that Leah deserves “both love and child support.”
Neither the Bengals nor Still’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have commented on the allegations.
H/T Deadspin
