Sean Combs never legally adopted a girl named Ava Baroni Combs who appeared alongside him in a 2020 livestream video. In the viral video, Combs claimed he “adopted” a “white child” off the streets in Beverly Hills.
He instructed the child to explain how she came to be in his care as her legal guardian.
Ava then explained that she was on the streets when “Papa Combs” picked her up and took her home to play with his twin daughters, Jessie James and D’Lila, 17.
Combs said that Ava’s story sounded “a little suspect.” He wanted her to explain how he adopted her like Madonna, Charlize Theron and Sandra Bullock adopted their Black kids.
Ava then said she has known Combs’ children since she was “6 months old.”
Combs added that he got “permission” from Ava’s mother to legally adopt her.
However, an insider tells Page Six that Combs never adopted Ava and that the video was “a skit.” The source said Ava and her parents are “keeping their distance” from the music mogul.
Resurfaced clip of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ‘adopted daughter’ Ava continues to spark fears amid rapper’s arrest pic.twitter.com/lZlHtXmt77
— Page Six (@PageSix) September 24, 2024
The video resurfaced online after Combs was indicted for sex trafficking in New York on Sept. 16.
Combs is being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn. He was twice denied bond by 2 separate judges.
On Monday, PEOPLE reported that Combs spoke briefly with his children, who are “in a state of crisis and shock.”
In addition to his twin daughters, Combs is father to Justin, 30, Christian, 26, Chance, 18, and infant daughter Love, 1.
He is also a father figure to Quincy Brown, 33, son of the late model Kim Porter and former R&B singer Al B. Sure!.
The 14-page indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and detailed Combs’s infamous, drug-fueled “freak off” parties that lasted for days.
A federal prosecutor said Combs is the kingpin of a criminal enterprise. Combs allegedly used his power and influence to drug, coerce, and threaten his victims “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently awaiting his next court appearance on October 9.