‘We need his presence’: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ children beg judge for leniency

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ children urged leniency for their father at the hip-hop mogul’s sentencing over prostitution charges on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Combs’ children told the judge that he has become a better man in the year since his arrest on sex crimes charges.

“We aren’t here to excuse any of his mistakes. But your honor, he is still our dad, and we still need him present in our lives, Combs’ 18-year-old daughter, Jessie Combs, said through tears.

A jury on July 2 convicted Combs, 55, on two counts of arranging for paid male escorts to travel across state lines to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances – sometimes known as “Freak Offs” – with Combs’ girlfriends while he recorded video and masturbated.

The jury acquitted him on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, which could have earned him a life sentence.

Those charges hinged on prosecutors’ accusation that Combs used violence and threats to coerce his girlfriends to take part in the encounters.

Addressing United States District Judge Arun Subramanian, Jessie’s twin sister D’Lila Combs said she and her siblings were scared about being without their father after the 2018 death of their mother, the actress and model Kim Porter.

US judge sentences Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs today

She said: “We’ve already lost so much. “Please, your honor, please, give our family the chance to heal together.”

Combs put his head down as his children spoke, and had tears in his eyes when their remarks concluded.

Subramanian thanked the singer’s children.

After the children spoke, his lawyers showed the court a video about Combs’ background and philanthropy, Reuters reported.

The video showed Combs playing with his children, speaking to public school students, and running the New York Marathon to raise money for charity.

Combs, who has been behind bars at a Brooklyn jail since his September 2024 arrest, is expected to address the court later on Friday.

He faces up to 20 years in prison, though the judge has wide discretion in crafting a punishment.

Defense lawyers said the appropriate sentence is 14 months, which would mean Combs would be released by the end of the year after receiving credit for time served.

The Star