Sean “Diddy” Combs has communicated with his children since his arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
The father of seven, 54, has “been able to speak briefly to family members and his children via phone,” a source told People just days after a report claimed the rapper was desperate to get in touch with his kids.
“He is very concerned about his kids and their well-being,” the insider added. “He has three minor children, two of whom now have no living parent available with him incarcerated. Four of his seven children have neither parent available with him incarcerated.”
Another source reportedly close to Combs’ family said the music mogul’s kids are “in a state of crisis and shock” in the wake of his arrest.
The “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper is father to three sons — Quincy, 33, Justin, 30, and Christian, 26 — and four daughters — Chance, 18, Jessie and D’Lila, 17, and Love, 1.
Combs shared Christian and twins Jessie and D’Lila with his late ex Kim Porter. The model and actress passed away in 2018 at the age of 47. Combs helped raise and would eventually adopt Quincy, Porter’s son with Al B. Sure!.
The “Act Bad” artist had son Justin with stylist Misa Hylton, daughter Chance with Sarah Chapman, and his youngest child, Love, with Dana Tran.
Last Friday, sources close to the family told TMZ that Combs was desperate to speak with his children. The outlet also reported that the family has been supporting each other and turning to God for guidance, with friends trying to stay strong for the sake of the rapper’s kids.
Combs traveled to New York earlier this month to await arrest following a grand jury indictment. He was taken into custody on Sept. 16 by agents from Homeland Security, just under six months after the agency raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
The disgraced hitmaker was arraigned in a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Sept. 17 and charged with felony sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Christian was seen at the arraignment reading a copy of his father’s 14-page indictment. After the judge ruled that Combs would be held without bail, the rapper turned to face Christian and other members of his family who were in the courthouse and placed his hand on his heart.
Despite additional efforts from his legal team, the star will continue to remain in federal custody as he awaits trial. He is reportedly on suicide watch at the infamous Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a facility that previously housed R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell and is reportedly home to “barbaric” conditions.
Combs is set to be back in court for his next hearing on Oct. 9.