In this courtroom sketch, R. Kelly, center, sits with his defense attorneys Thomas Farinella, top, and Nicole Blank Becker during the first day of his defense in his sex trafficking case, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in New York. The former R&B superstar was convicted of racketeering and other crimes. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Williams)

In this courtroom sketch, R. Kelly, center, sits with his defense attorneys during the first day of his defense in his sex trafficking case, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, in New York. In June 2022, the former R&B superstar was sentenced to 30 years of prison.

Credit: AP Photo/Elizabeth Williams

The Atlanta family of a woman involved with disgraced R&B star R. Kelly said they are pleased with the sentence handed down Wednesday.  

Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for using his fame to sexually abuse young fans, including some who were just children.

The parents of Joycelyn Savage issued a statement Wednesday through their attorney Gerald Griggs. In the statement, they said “they hope [the sentence] will continue to send a strong message that sexual predators will be punished.”

In 2019, Timothy and Jonjelyn Savage claimed Kelly was holding their daughter against her will and that they hadn’t heard from her in more than two years, as reported by WSB-TV.

Later that year, Joycelyn defended Kelly and their relationship in an interview with CBS’s Gayle King.

Savage’s parents said in the statement Wednesday that it is their “continued hope to reunite and reconnect with their daughter.”

Tags: R. Kelly  sexual abuse  Crime  Georgia  Atlanta