According to recent court documents, R Kelly, the singer and convicted sex trafficker, was hospitalized following an overdose in prison. The 58-year-old collapsed at the federal correctional institute in Butner, North Carolina, known for housing sex offenders, and was taken to Duke University Hospital.
The filing indicates that on 10 June, Kelly was placed in solitary confinement and given medication by prison staff with specific instructions on its consumption. On 13 June, he reportedly felt faint and dizzy, experiencing black spots in his vision. Attempting to stand, he collapsed and eventually crawled to his cell door before losing consciousness.
Kelly was subsequently placed on a gurney and transported by ambulance to the hospital. During the ride, he allegedly overheard a prison officer remark about the potential complications of the situation. At the hospital, it was revealed that he had received an overdose of his medications, necessitating a two-day hospitalization.
The Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the incident due to ongoing litigation. This filing follows an emergency motion by Kelly’s legal team, who claimed that three Bureau of Prisons officials had conspired to have him killed by another inmate, leading them to request his release to home detention.
Federal prosecutors have opposed this request, stating that Kelly is a “prolific child molester” who remains unapologetic and has never acknowledged his past offenses. They argue that his release request is based on unfounded conspiracy claims and undermines the suffering of his victims. Kelly’s lawyers have renewed their request for a temporary furlough to home detention.
In 2021, Kelly was convicted on racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, receiving a 30-year sentence. In 2022, he was additionally found guilty of producing child sexual abuse imagery and child enticement, resulting in a 20-year sentence to be served concurrently.