A California mother is facing jail time after telling her daughter, who she shares with former NBA star Corey Benjamin, to hit a girl during a youth basketball game in Orange County. The moment was caught on video.
The mother, 44-year-old Latira Shonty Hunt, can be heard encouraging her daughter to hit the player on the opposing team after she tripped her, saying “you better hit her for that”
The viral video then shows the girl sucker punching her rival player, 15-year old Lauryn Ham, who then collapsed to the ground.
Hunt was charged with one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one misdemeanor count of battery, according to the DA’s office.
The incident took place at an event hosted by Avac United, which organizes games for youth between the ages of 13 to 16 across Southern California.
The CEO of Avac United, Gary Thomas, told KTLA that the organization has banned the girl who punched Ham’s daughter and her mother, until further notice.
The father of the now-banned child is former Bulls basketball star Corey Benjamin. He issued a statement weeks ago apologizing on behalf of his daughter.
“To the young lady who was punched by my daughter during a youth basketball game, I sincerely apologize to you and I am praying for your complete healing both physically and emotionally,” Benjamin told NBCLA this week. “To her family, I deeply apologize and regret that this happened to your daughter as she did not deserve this to happen to her. Finally, I apologize to all of those who have been impacted and hurt by the actions of my daughter as well as those of her mother. I am here for your family and wish only the best for you.”
Benjamin also informed the public that he is seeking help for his daughter.
Ham’s attorney, Kevin Hahn, told the station that the incident goes far beyond one teenager punching another, and he would like to see all parties held accountable, including the facility where the game was held.
The mother’s arrest may be just the beginning of this ongoing case.
Here’s more from ABC 7 News.
