Nipsey Hussle’s sister, Samantha Smith, is the official legal guardian of the late rapper’s 10-year-old daughter Emani Asghedom—for now.
Hussle, whose birth name is Ermias Joseph Asghedom, was gunned down on March 31 in front of his store, Marathon Clothing, in Los Angeles. He was 33.
The mother of Nipsey Hussle’s daughter, Tanisha Foster, was in court Monday, fighting to regain custody of her daughter, claiming that the child has been living with Hussle’s sister since his death in March.
Still, TMZ reports that Hussle’s family doesn’t believe that Foster is fit to care for Emani. Foster currently has a warrant out for her arrest, relating to an unsettled DUI case in 2017. She also has a lengthy arrest record dating back to 2006.
According to legal documents obtained by People magazine, Smith “has always been a presence in Emani’s life and along with the rest of Emani’s paternal family has assisted in her care and continues to do so.”
Smith wanted to “ensure [Emani’s] continued stability,” and that she “can continue to live with family members with whom she has always had close ties.” The documents also said that Smith had “consistent and frequent contact” with Emani after having lived with her brother and niece for a period of time between 2014 and 2015.
Foster was seen leaving the courtroom on Monday crying. Her lawyers told TMZ that she is working on a visitation schedule.