Dirk Nowitzki Files Paternity Suit

NBA star Dirk Nowitzki filed a petition in Dallas County, Texas, seeking a paternity test from his ex-girlfriend, Cristal Taylor, and sole custody of her unborn child if the tests indicate he is the father. Taylor is currently incarcerated in the Jefferson County (TX) Correctional Facility.

Taylor was reportedly living with Nowitzki in suburban Dallas until she was arrested May 6 on a warrant for a 2006 theft of services charge. She reportedly failed to pay for $11,000 worth of dental work. She also faces a 2000 probation violation in suburban St. Louis. Taylor told The Dallas Morning News she hid her criminal record from Nowitzki and that she did not discover her pregnancy until after her arrest.

ESPN.com has reported that the FBI has now obtained recordings of allegedly threatening phone calls Taylor made from the Jefferson County Correctional Facility to Robert Hart, Nowitzki’s attorney. She may also have demanded money, according to reports.

According to various sources, Taylor has had previous child custody issues. She allegedly has three other children – an 18-year-old girl, 15-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl – by three different men and all three children have been raised by Taylor’s family.

Nowitzki’s “Petition To Adjudicate Parentage,” indicates that Taylor has repeatedly made public statements that Nowitzki is the father of her child. The petition seeks “to establish the parent-child relationship between Petitioner and the child the subject of this suit in the event that it is determined that Petitioner is the biological father of the child.” Nowitzki asks the court to appoint him the sole managing conservator of the child if he is found to be the father, this is the language used in Texas family law for sole legal and physical custodian.

Taylor’s attorney has acknowledged that she was served with the paternity suit while in jail.