Insecure Actress Alleges Brother of Keke Palmer’s Ex Engaged in ‘Mental and Physical Abuse’ Amidst Child Custody Dispute
DomiNque Perry levelled accusations against Sarunas J. Jackson just days following Palmer being granted a TRO order against his brother.
Actress DomiNque Perry, known for her role in Insecure, has filed new court documents in California Superior Court accusing her former co-star Sarunas J. Jackson of abuse. In a petition obtained by PEOPLE and filed on Tuesday, Perry claims to have endured “emotional volatility, intimidation, bullying, undeserved stress, mental and physical abuse, controlling and narcissistic behavior” over the past five years from Jackson and his family.
The pair share a daughter, 5-year-old Zen Jackson. Sarunas is the elder brother of Darius Jackson, who has a child with actress Keke Palmer. Recently, the NOPE actress accused Darius of domestic violence in a November 9 TRO request.
Perry, aged 35, filed a petition on September 21 to establish a parental relationship, a move opposed by Jackson in a filing on November 16.
Efforts to obtain statements from Perry and Jackson’s legal representatives by PEOPLE have not yielded an immediate response.
“Sarunas and I were never in a romantic relationship,” Perry clarified in her declaration on Tuesday.
Within the documents, the Deadly Dispatch actress claimed, “I was regularly bullied and intimidated (brother Darius admitted and confirmed)… I was always nervous because I felt that I wasn’t ever good enough by the Petitioner and the family.”
Perry stated that during her shared parenting with Zen’s father, she was unfairly held responsible for their daughter being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Describing a tense exchange in March 2020, Perry claimed that Sarunas grew increasingly agitated and physically grabbed her by the throat, causing distress.
During this incident, their 22-month-old daughter, Zen, witnessed the altercation and became upset. Perry alleged that Sarunas released his grip on her to comfort their distressed child.
“He was so furious that he ended up injuring himself, biting his tongue and causing it to bleed,” Perry claimed.
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“Some weeks later, he appeared at my place sporting scratches across his neck and face. When I inquired, he claimed, ‘He had cornered his mother, and they had a scuffle.’ Allegations suggest he has a habit of choking. He exhibits violent behaviour towards women,” Perry alleged.
In Jackson’s statement dated November 16, he mirrored Perry’s assertions, clarifying that there was never a romantic involvement between them. “Perry and I never had a romantic relationship, but we were friends and colleagues.”
He also contested any accusations of abuse made by the actress.
“Where the respondent’s claims of emotional volatility and intimidation stem from is unclear,” his statement reads. “My family and I have consistently welcomed the respondent warmly, inviting her to family gatherings and extending our love and support in various ways. However, in return, the respondent has damaged my reputation to others, leading them to believe I am an absentee father.”
Jackson, 33, alleged that Perry’s actions “have instilled fear in me regarding potential repercussions in my career.” He expressed concerns about “the imminent possibility that she might seek court-mandated child support exceeding our mutually agreed amount.”
This development emerges 19 days after Palmer, 30, was granted temporary sole custody of her 8-month-old son, whom she shares with her former partner. According to legal documents from PEOPLE, Palmer filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Darius in Los Angeles, citing numerous instances of physical abuse in the lawsuit.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. All calls are confidential and toll-free, and the hotline provides support 24/7 in over 170 languages.
