Israel Houghton Sued by Attorney General for Child Support for Two “Love Children”
*Skip to the bottom of this article if you only want the info about Israel Houghton’s kids and the unpaid child support.* I like to tell stories from the beginning, so here we go…
Whew! So a few months ago I posted a YouTube video about how Israel Houghton proposed to talk show host Adrienne Bailon in Paris, France. In my video I only spoke about how in love the two seem to be, and not about the “dirt” surrounding Israel Houghton.
But now even more information is coming out about Israel Houghton that makes me wonder if Adrienne will be able to forgive Israel!
Israel Houghton has openly admitted to cheating on his first wife, Meleasa.
First, we all (may) know that Israel Houghton was married to his first wife for nearly 20 years before divorcing her earlier this year. He has publicly admitted to cheating on her. And he even wrote an open letter on Facebook apologizing for his indiscretions.
Here is the full text of that letter:
“It is with a collective heavy heart that we announce that after over 20 years of marriage and a long separation, Meleasa and I are officially divorced. Several years ago I failed and sinned in my marriage. Though this is new to many, it is not new to us as we have been working through this for over 5 years. Although we tried, the challenges in our relationship have proven too much to overcome. We have always handled our family and ministry with grace and generosity toward others, discretion, and privacy. So, for the sake of our amazing kids, we are also handling this privately with pastoral oversight and assistance. We choose to remain friendly and kind to each other going forward. I am in the process of restoration and I have repented for my actions. Although I am sincerely sorry, and forgiven, I soberly realize that I will live with the consequences of my failings for the rest of my life. As this has become a public matter I want to apologize to the many who have supported my ministry through the years. I’m sorry for the many who will be hurt to learn of my personal failure. I regret any pain or disappointment that this news may cause you. We thank you for your prayers and for allowing us to handle this privately with those who are set over us in this process.
Prayerfully
Israel Houghton”
Bishop Joel Osteen placed Israel Houghton on “indefinite leave” because of Israel’s indiscretions”
In the letter he mentions he is in the process of being restored. This may be spiritual “restoration” or he may have been referring to being restored to ministry at Lakewood Church, where he previously was a minister. Due to his indiscretions in his marriage, he was placed on an “indefinite leave” by the church. Where I’m from, we call this being “sat down”. And when a minister is “sat down” he is sometimes “restored” to his position after things have settled down if he/she shows that they are truly remorseful and that they have changed their ways. Here is the official statement from Lakewood Church regarding Israel’s status:
We can confirm that Israel is on indefinite leave, but it is important to clarify that we still consider Israel to be a part of the Lakewood family and that his employment has not been terminated
Israel’s proposal to Adrienne looked like something out of a fairy tale.
He proposed to her at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France and apparently it was magical!
The two held a co-ed bridal shower just a few days ago that was beautiful as well.
Although their celebrations of love have been beautiful, magical, and all of that. What’s been ugly is the truth about Israel Houghton and the kids he allegedly fathered outside of his marriage to his first wife Meleasa.
There are two children at the center of the child support case that has been filed against Israel Houghton by the Texas Attorney General. The oldest child is 4 years old, and the youngest is just 2! That means both children were born DURING the course of Israel’s first marriage to Meleasa Haughton. No wonder she didn’t want to take him back.
The alleged mother of the children is Devawn Moreno. I feel bad for this woman, so I am not going to put links to her social media here. But it sounds like she was with Israel during the tail end of his marriage and perhaps she thought they were going to be together after his marriage ended. With her having not one, but two of his children, it certainly sounds like they were in a serious relationship for several years.
The Texas Attorney General has an open case against Israel Houghton for child support.
Here’s what you need to know about the case:
- Allegedly Israel has confirmed paternity of the oldest child (4), and the motion for paternity is for the youngest (2) child.
- The mother, Devawn Moreno, has been served as of September 2, 2016.
- Israel Houghton has not yet been served (likely due to his travels.)
- The suit requests Israel Houghton pay back and current child support as well as health insurance and medical expenses for both children.
- Israel’s attorney has issued a statement saying that Israel Houghton has been financially providing for both of the children since their births.
This was my 1st time visiting your blog/vlog. I appreciate your thoroughness, however, I think you should should correct yourself in calling Israel H. a liar. If you do the math, he did meet Adrienne B. when he was separated, which some call “over.” He said he and his wife had a long separation and in his letter, he alluded to 5 years. It’s 2016 now so if he met AB in 2013, that’s only 3 yrs ago. Also, I applaud you for not naming the children in the suit, but then you list other websites where people could go to find those names – you might as well just have named them! Why not just just leave that part out? As a Christian, you should really be more careful in your accusations and information you share. I understand that you are trying to report only truth – it is evident in your research and diligence, and I love what you’ve tried to do, but the way you’ve worded your vlog makes you still appear as a gossip column. Just something to ponder. Thanks – Peace and Blessings!
I appreciate your comment and I do plan on re-reading this particular post and I will probably make some changes based on the feedback I am getting on the video. In different interviews they have given different timeframes. So I will figure out another way to frame that fact. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.
Separated is not divorced. AB is wrong no matter how you look at it.
She said his marriage failed or he did whatever he was doing in it “about 5 years back” (2011)-ish and that she DID NOT KNOW him THEN… the movie was done being filmed in 2010. He came on AFTER it was done based on what he said AFTER the movie was done as one of the executive producers. (EPs don’t just work on a movie WHILE it’s shooting, but also AFTERward. Neither of them say that they met ON THE SET of the movie.
Adrienne clearly says they met WHILE DOING PROMOTION for the film -which would be after it was filmed, and edited … “The trailer for the film was released on July 15, 2013. The film opened on October 18, 2013”.. SO apparently they met in 2013, while promotion was going on (that’s when trailers are released- during and FOR promotion).
She says they have “Been FRIENDS” for about 2.5 years- within the above mentioned time frame. He was apparently in a relationship with someone OTHER than his wife during that time and making children. If Adrienne knew about those children, she had no obligation to share that with the public and neither did he. I just can’t believe he let it get public by nt responsible & taking care of them financially. I didn’t hear any lies about how or when they met. It all adds up to me. But it’s still MESSY, MESSY, MESSy!!
SEPARATION IN GOD’S EYESIGHT IS NOT DIVORCE, AND PPL NEED TO REALIZE THE DIFFERENCE. GOD DOESN’T SEE AS MAN SEES
Honestly this is Gossip it’s a human trait. Gossip never has accuracy. With gossip you have accusations. It comes with the menu. See things for what they are “In the Now”. It’s the ONLY thing important in this article. Because it all boils down to the facts are Only in the heads of the parties involved. Remember this “People tell you what they want you to know”…may God Bless their marriage and forgive us all for criticisms intentional or not and our slighted tongues…peace
Which part is gossip? The kids or the timeline of his and Adrienne’s relationship? “Israel’s attorney has issued a statement saying that Israel Houghton has been financially providing for both of the children since their births.” Why would he be providing for children that aren’t his? He definitely fathered those kids outside of his marriage.
I know that you don’t want to share Devawn ‘s social media and I understand that. I been wondering is Israel has been a present father to his two kids?? Does she share that on her social media platforms ??? Or is he being a deadbeat father??!? Cause he don’t mention his younger kids with Devawn smh
Unfortunate, cause he ruined his ministry… He is so gifted! Jesus at the Center-is one of my favorite worship CDs. It’s difficult to watch him with Adrienne. He has a type and I bet he cheats again! He’s not free yet. I feel sorry for his 1st wife. She put up with him for 20 years and he had not 1 but 2 side kids….that’s a lot. I hope they all receive their healing. In Jesus’ name.