Sean “Diddy” Combs speaks from prison to his children who are shocked by his arrest for sex trafficking

Sign up for Roisin O'Connor's free weekly newsletter Now Hear This to stay up to date with all things music

Get our Now Hear This email for free

Get our Now Hear This email for free

According to reports, Sean “Diddy” Combs has only been allowed limited contact with his children and family members since his prison sentence.

The 54-year-old music mogul and father of seven was arrested on September 16 and charged with sex trafficking, organized crime and solicitation for the purpose of prostitution. Although he has pleaded not guilty to the charges, he has been denied bail twice and remains in jail.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Combs was able to “make brief phone calls with family members and his children.”

The “I'll Be Missing You” rapper has three sons: Quincy, 33, Justin, 30, and Christian, 26, and four daughters: Chance, 18, twins Jessie and D'Lila, 17, and Love, 23 months.

“He is very concerned about his children and their well-being,” the source said People“He has three minor children, two of whom have no living parent because he is in prison. Four of his seven children have no living parent because he is in prison.”

Combs had Christian and his twin daughters with actress and model Kim Porter, who died in 2018. Quincy is Porter's first child with her ex-husband Al B Sure!. Combs later adopted him.

Combs has his son Justin with stylist Misa Hylton and his daughter Chance with Sarah Chapman. He had his youngest daughter Love with Dana Tran in October 2022.

Another insider said People that Combs' children were “in a state of crisis and shock” following their father's arrest.

“It's heartbreaking to see the kids in this state,” the source said. “This is their father. But to them, he's not Diddy – he's daddy. He's always been a loving, devoted father.”

Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Try it free for 30 days

Sign up

Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Try it free for 30 days

Sign up

At Combs' arraignment on Sept. 17, an unsealed federal court indictment alleged that he threatened and abused women “to satisfy his sexual desires” by forcing them to perform recorded sex acts that he called “freak offs.”

He is also accused of running a criminal organization in which his partners, employees and the influence of his corporate empire coerced, controlled and abused female victims.

According to the indictment by a New York grand jury, these include “sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.”

For nearly a year, Combs has faced a series of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse, rape and misconduct.

During his initial hearing, his attorney Marc Agnifilio called Combs an “innocent man who has nothing to hide.” He said the musician is cooperating with federal authorities and voluntarily moved to New York last week in anticipation of his arrest.

“We are disappointed by the U.S. Attorney's decision to continue what we believe is an unjustified prosecution of Mr. Combs,” Agnifilo said in a statement.

A hearing for Combs is scheduled for October 9 at 2 p.m.