The mother of Jovan Belcher, the Kansas City Chiefs player who shot his girlfriend to death then killed himself, has signed over guardianship of Belcher’s infant daughter to his girlfriend’s cousin, the NY Post reports.
The NY Post reports exclusively that Sheyl Shepherd signed a notarized letter giving guardianship to Sophie Perkins, a cousin of the late Kasandra Perkins. The letter was signed by Perkins, Shepherd, a witness and a notary, according to the Post.
Shepherd stood to benefit from nearly $3 million in life insurance and NFL benefits inherited by little Zoey Perkins. But legal experts say she has hurt her chances.
Shepherd wrote and signed the letter on Dec. 3 — two days after the murder-suicide — giving Perkins’ cousin “temporary guardianship” allowing Zoey to attend her mother’s Texas memorial service, the Post reports.
In the letter obtained by the Post, Shepherd wrote: “I, Cheryl Shepherd, who has custody of child Zoey Michelle Belcher . . . hereby grant temporary guardianship . . . to Sophie Deon Perkins” — Kasandra’s cousin, states the letter obtained by The Post.
The letter also included the following text:
“This temporary guardianship will be allowed until the requested paperwork for joint custody between Cheryl Shepherd and Sophie Deon Perkins has been determined through the court system.”
Belcher’s family had challenged Belcher’s paternity, saying it wasn’t clear if he was the baby’s father.
Police interviews conducted with Shepherd reveal that Belcher argued with his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, about their daughter’s paternity before shooting her multiple times then turning the gun on himself in December.
“Ms. Shepherd seems to think she is the legal custodian of Zoey,” the letter shows otherwise, said Perkins family attorney Jon Michael Franks at a Fort Worth court hearing on Thursday.
Belcher’s family told the Post that Shepherd signed the agreement because she didn’t think she could win custody of Zoey.
“She feels like the mom’s side always wins with this type of issue or situation,” said a Long Island cousin of Belcher.
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