A singer reacts to her ex-boss’ acquittal of child pornography charges

Former R. Kelly protégé Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards remains firm on her identification of her allegedly underage niece as the person shown in a sex video with Kelly. Despite Kelly’s recent acquittal on child pornography charges, Edwards says the multi-platinum singer got away with robbing the cradle. “I was at peace with it because, the night before, I felt like the verdict would come down the next day,” Sparkle tells Philly radio host Kendra G. “I was talking to God all night. She continues, “Honestly, honestly honestly, I really didn’t want to see Robert go to jail. I just felt like he should’ve gotten some help.” The trial and Sparkle’s decision to testify has strained her family, some of whom denied her niece was in the video, she says. But she’s working to restore her family’s ties. “I did what I was supposed to do,” Sparkle adds.