Congratulations are in order for The Flash actress Candice Patton, who has welcomed her first child – though her surprise announcement raised some eyebrows among fans.
The 36-year-old confirmed the arrival of her son over the weekend on Instagram, writing alongside a series of snaps: “Son in Virgo. Born at home. Heart now beats outside of my chest. In love forevermore 💕👣”.
It was a heavily-tattooed arm that was holding Patton’s son in one of the photos, with the tag revealing it belonged to former NBA star J. R. Smith – who is legally married to someone else.
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Smith, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring from the sport in 2020, then confirmed he was the father with a post of his own shared one day later.
Shared to Instagram with no caption, Smith posted a series of photos of his newborn son, including one where the 39-year-old is clearly seen holding him. He tagged Patton in his post.
The duo’s announcement came as a shock to long-time fans, as Smith is still legally married to Shirley ‘Jewel’ Harris, with whom he tied the knot in 2016.
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Harris publicly accused Smith of infidelity almost five years ago, sharing a video to Instagram of herself praying for her husband and his alleged mistress.
“God, I would like to lift my husband up and ask you … to please just cover him with your blood,” Harris said in the video, adding she wants God to “heal” Smith.
“My husband, he’s hurting and [Patton], Lord Father God, she’s hurting,” Harris continued.
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“For her to go out here, Lord Father God, and seek a married man, Father God, I just pray that you give her grace and mercy through all of this. I lift her up,” Harris said.
Smith responded to Harris’ viral video on his Instagram Story, writing at the time: ”No weapon formed against me. [Instagram] ain’t a place for relationships!! But God told me to tell y’all I’ve been separated for months. He doesn’t understand why his child failed to mention that… #thatsall.”
The former athlete and Harris share seven-year-old daughter Dakota, and four-year-old daughter Denver. Smith also has another child from a previous relationship.
Patton has not commented publicly on the affair allegations.
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