How Diddy's Children Will be Impacted by Bombshell Investigation

Legal experts have said the raids of Sean "Diddy" Combs' properties on Monday could negatively impact his children.

Homeland Security Investigations raided the music mogul's properties in Miami and Los Angeles in what the Associated Press reported was an investigation into sex trafficking.

Combs—also known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, and Brother Love—has been under investigation for alleged sexual assault and abuse in recent months, which have prompted inquiries regarding his behavior. The raids have also called attention to his recent legal battles—particularly a case filed by record producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones in February that was amended on March 25.

Now public relations expert Eric Schiffer and lawyers Ian Steinberg and Nicole Brenecki have told Newsweek the investigation could have a lasting impact on Combs' seven children.

Newsweek emailed Combs representative for comment Friday.

Combs, 54, is the father to four daughters: Chance, 17, with businesswoman Sarah Chapman; twins D'Lila and Jessie, 17, from his relationship with the late model Kim Porter; and Love, who was born in December 2022. Love's mother is cybersecurity professional and model Dana Tran.

The rapper is also the father of three sons: Justin, 30, from his relationship with stylist and fashion designer Misa Hylton, and Christian, 25, whose mother is Combs' late ex Porter. Combs is also the adoptive father of Quincy, 32, who was born to Porter and singer and producer Al B. Sure!.

"Having full-on governmental search warrants at multiple locations can be traumatizing to young people who have never experienced anything close to this," Schiffer, the head of Reputation Management Consultants, told Newsweek.

"And for his two sons that were handcuffed ... not only is this personally devastating to them but as they're building their own reputation and identity, it's very painful."

His comment is about the fact that footage appeared to show two men in handcuffs outside Combs' Holmby Hills home in Los Angeles on Monday. They were later identified as the rapper's sons, Justin and Christian, sources told ABC News. It is understood the two men were not under arrest but were being detained outside as agents searched the property.

Schiffer told Newsweek that not only would Justin and Christian be affected by what's happened but so would Combs' other children.

"There's also their internal concern for their father, who they love and who they don't want to see get hurt," he said.

"So they're going through a cascade of emotions all of which affect the way they view themself and the way they're viewed in this social media and press fishbowl that they've grown up in. So it's a very hard and painful period in their lives where they feel like their world is imploding."

Schiffer explained that when direct relatives, such as parents, are under federal investigation, there is a stigma that "will permeate to others in the family."

He continued: "They'll experience friends back off and opportunities blow up in their face and those that they thought were friendly people in their lives [will] disappear. They'll also understand who their real friends are at the same time.

"They're going to go through a maturity process that, despite having an elevated life and experiencing a lot, this is a whole other level. This is going to be some of the darkest times they've ever experienced.

"As to their future, depending upon how this plays out, and how they conduct themselves through this, it may or may not create longer-term implications to their future. There will be some people—if [Combs] is charged and convicted—that won't want anything to do with anyone in the family and their tight association to Puff will hurt them in the short to medium term if he is convicted."

No matter the outcome, Schiffer said Combs' children need to create their own identity separate from their father.

Steinberg is a Family Law Attorney and senior associate with Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein, LLP. He told Newsweek that custody battles could come into play, especially when it comes to Combs' daughter Love, who was only born in 2022.

"When determining custody, the court is tasked with determining what is in the best interest of the children," he explained.

"If the allegations are true, a judge would be unlikely to determine that a child being exposed to sex trafficking would be in their best interest. This would make it challenging for Diddy to seek overnight visits with his young daughter, as doing so may put the child in harm's way. This is not to say that the relationship with the child should be severed entirely, but any parenting time would likely take place under a microscope."

New York City-based Attorney Nicole Brenecki said that as Combs' children of all different ages, with some being adults engaged in their own businesses, the investigation could affect them differently.

"The current events will have different influences on their lives, but they will all certainly be affected to a great extent," she told Newsweek.

"The allegations against Combs are so serious that he may be quickly labeled another Jeffrey Epstein. I hope that his children's privacy and dignity will be protected regardless of the outcome of the current storm in the media and the impending criminal case against Combs."

Federal Raids

Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement that it had "executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners."

In response to the raids and subsequent media coverage, Combs' attorney, Aaron Dyer, told Newsweek in an email on Tuesday: "There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.

"This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence— leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits," Dyer added. "There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name."

In his lawsuit, music producer Jones accused Combs of coercing him to solicit prostitutes and then pressuring him to have sex with them. Jones alleged in the lawsuit that he was sexually harassed, drugged and threatened by Combs for more than a year. Jones produced several tracks on Combs' The Love Album: Off the Grid and is seeking $30 million in damages.

Combs' attorney Shawn Holley has disputed the allegations, previously telling Newsweek that "we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies."

Allegations Against Combs

In 2023, three lawsuits alleging sexual assault were filed against Combs under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which expired at midnight on November 23.

A woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a lawsuit in November accusing Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her. The suit alleged that he filmed the incident and showed the footage to others in an act described as "revenge porn." The complaint came days after Combs settled a suit with Cassie Ventura, who accused him of raping, sex trafficking and physically abusing her for nearly a decade.

In December, Combs was hit with another lawsuit over allegations that he trafficked and sexually abused a woman identified as Jane Doe. The suit accuses the rapper of gang rape and sex trafficking.

Combs' lawyer previously denied these claims in a statement shared with Newsweek, which read: "These are fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute. This is nothing but a money grab.

"Because of Mr. Combs' fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit. The New York Legislature surely did not intend or expect the Adult Survivors Act to be exploited by scammers. The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations."

Following Monday's raids, attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Ventura and the anonymous plaintiff, issued this statement: "We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct."