Kinaya Willis, the daughter of high-profile Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, found herself in the spotlight for reasons unrelated to her mother’s legal career. The 25-year-old, who is a pregnant student at Texas Southern University, was arrested on August 24, 2024, in Tyrone, Georgia, for driving with a suspended license, a charge that adds another layer of pressure to her mother’s already demanding life. Fani Willis, who has gained national attention for leading the criminal case against former President Donald Trump, now faces personal and public scrutiny surrounding her daughter’s arrest, told Daily Mail.
According to authorities, Kinaya was pulled over after officers spotted her using her phone while driving her 2010 Nissan Altima. She explained to the officers that her mother had called to check on her pregnancy, but when they checked her license, they found it had been suspended since May 13, 2024, for the same offense. Kinaya was placed in handcuffs and transported to Fayette County Jail, where she was charged with driving with a suspended license.
Her mother, Fani Willis, arrived shortly after to collect her daughter’s vehicle. A booking photo of Kinaya showed her looking tired and upset. According to public records, she was released from custody later that day and is scheduled for an arraignment on October 24, 2024.
Driving with a suspended license in Georgia carries serious penalties, including a minimum two-day jail sentence and a fine of at least $500. For repeat offenses, the penalties increase, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 and at least 10 days in jail.
When contacted for comment, Fani Willis quickly ended the conversation. Kinaya has not responded to requests for a statement either.
This arrest adds to the mounting challenges for Fani Willis, whose work as a district attorney has put her at the center of a national legal and political battle. She recently indicted Donald Trump and 18 others for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The case has drawn immense public attention, including personal attacks on Willis, making her daughter’s arrest even more significant in the public eye.
Despite the legal battles, Fani Willis has shown resilience, breaking down in tears during a police event in May 2024, thanking officers for protecting her family from threats, including a false report of a murder at her home.
Kinaya’s father, Fred Willis, spoke earlier this year about the strain the Trump case had placed on their family. He also clarified that Kinaya had left Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University during the COVID-19 pandemic and was completing her studies at Texas Southern University, where she maintained a 3.3 GPA and planned to pursue law school.
As her legal challenges mount, Fani Willis now faces the additional burden of supporting her daughter while navigating the public’s eye on her career and family.