Former UFC lightweight champion Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III has missed his scheduled court appearance for a domestic abuse case filed by his mother, following a tumultuous week that saw him arrested twice.
Penn, 46, of Hilo, Hawaii, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of abuse of a household member on Tuesday after separate incidents involving his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin.
The legal troubles come amid concerning behavior from the former MMA star, who has posted unusual content on social media in recent months. In footage of one arrest filmed by a friend, Penn can be seen lying on his bed questioning how he could be arrested in his own home, and asking for Hawaii Police Department officers who know him personally.
A Hilo family court judge has issued protective orders barring Penn from approaching both his mother and Shealen Uaiula, the mother of his two daughters. Both women allege Penn suffers from traumatic brain injuries and has lost touch with reality.
According to court documents, Shin wrote that Penn suffers from “Capgras delusional syndrome,” a psychiatric disorder where a person believes close family members have been replaced by identical imposters.
“He believes I’m an imposter who has killed his family to gain control of the family assets. In the best interest for my safety, l ask the court for a 6 months TRO and have my son ordered to get medical treatment or other source of therapy,” Shin stated in her petition.
The incidents began Sunday evening when police responded to a disturbance at Shin’s home. She claims Penn took mail from her mailbox and when confronted, shoved a bright flashlight directly into her eyes to prevent her from calling police. The confrontation escalated, with Shin alleging Penn pushed her against a vehicle.
Police returned the following day after Penn allegedly broke into his mother’s house. Though he left before officers arrived, he was located nearby and arrested.
Penn posted $2,000 bail Monday and an additional $1,000 on Tuesday to secure his release.
In additional allegations, Shin claims Penn filled her door’s keyhole with glue and stole her purse, credit cards, safe contents, and other belongings, leading her to file felony theft complaints.
Uaiula’s protective order petition describes concerning behavior toward their daughters, including accusations that she and the children are imposters. “Over the past year, Mr. Penn has accused me of being a CIA agent and claims I wear multiple masks. He also stated that I am a part of the ‘sabotage squad’,” she wrote, adding that he threatened, “I promise I will end you.”
Penn, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor, attempted to file his own restraining order against his mother on April 7, claiming her “friends” and “agents” possess weapons and pose a danger to him.
The former UFC champion finished his professional career with 16 wins, 14 losses and two draws following getting knocked out in a dispute in Hawaii with a random person.
