June 17, (THEWILL) – Convicted R&B star R. Kelly was hospitalised following a suspected medication overdose at a federal prison in North Carolina, according to court documents filed by his legal team.
The 58-year-old singer, currently serving a 30-year sentence for sex trafficking and child abuse, reportedly collapsed on Friday at the Butner Federal Correctional Complex and was rushed to Duke University Hospital.
His lawyers allege that prison staff gave him medication while he was in solitary confinement with instructions to take it, but claim the dosage led to a medical emergency.
According to the legal filing, Kelly woke up on June 13 feeling faint and then lost consciousness. “Kelly tried to get up, but fell to the ground. He crawled to the door of the cell and lost consciousness,” the court document states.
Prison medical staff allegedly informed Kelly that he had suffered a life-threatening overdose, prompting a two-day hospital stay.
This incident comes shortly after his lawyers filed an emergency motion warning of a supposed plot to kill Kelly in prison — a claim prosecutors have dismissed as a “fanciful conspiracy,” referencing his history of unrepentant child abuse.
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the incident, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
Kelly’s legal team is continuing its push for temporary home detention, citing concerns over his safety and health.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
