AceShowbiz - A representative for John Amos has spoken up amid the family drama that was recently reignited in the wake of his passing. After his daughter Shannon Amos and goddaughter Amy Goudy complained that they only knew about his death 45 days later on media, his longtime publicist Belinda Foster stated that it's the late actor's dying wish to delay the announcement of his death.

"I represented John Amos for over 30 years as his publicist of record," Belinda said in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, October 3. "The media knows this along with John's agencies of record. Over the years we grew close to one another to the point of a familial relationship. In the last few years, he often referred to me as his 'daughter.' This was not a fraud by John, K.C., or myself. He was like a father to me. I deeply mourn his passing."

She also denied Shannon and Amy's allegations that K.C. abused their father, saying, "Shannon's claims that John was abused are false. K.C., Eugene and I, along with numerous others cared for him. On several occasions when Shannon claimed that he was abused, law enforcement authorities sat with John and confirmed his well being."

"At the time of John's passing, K.C. was under a strict no-contact order from the Superior Court of New Jersey based on the Complaint that his sister Shannon brought against him in 2023," the rep explained. "As a condition of his Pretrial Release, K.C. is precluded from making any contact with Shannon directly or indirectly by phone, social media, or any method of communication."

Belinda further stressed, "At the time of his death, John was concerned that Shannon might turn his death and interment into a circus as she had done with other aspects of his life. It was John who requested the delay in announcing his death to Shannon and the rest of the world."

On October 1, K.C. announced that his father passed away on August 21 at the age of 84. His death certificate revealed that he died of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Inglewood, California and he was cremated nine days later.

Airing out her frustration that she was kept in the dark about her father's passing, Shannon wrote in an Instagram post, "We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you."

John's goddaughter Amy also questioned his conditions prior to his passing, accusing K.C. and Belinda of isolating the "Good Times" star from other family members. "It is with profound sadness and distress that we must share the circumstances surrounding our father's passing. He was a loving man who brought light into the lives of many. However, our family only learned of his death today through media reports, only to discover he actually passed away 45 days ago," she wrote on Facebook.

Amy continued, "Shockingly, we were not notified, nor were any family members informed. This tragic news has left us in shock and heartache. We do not have a death certificate, nor do we know where or why he died, but we know he was suffering from congestive heart failure and dementia. We fear he was likely cremated to avoid any potential investigation into the conditions surrounding his final days."

She claimed, "Over the past year, John Amos was isolated from his family and close friends by Kelly 'KC' Amos, Eugene Brummet and Belinda Foster. Despite our repeated attempts to maintain contact, KC prevented access to him, controlled and monitored his calls and severed ties with John's daughter Shannon Amos, his brother Leslie "Syl" Franklin, his grandchildren Quiera Colston and Jhazz Williams, his business manager Paul Baldessare, his god-daughter Amy Goudy, his niece Sherri Korsun, his former accountant and other close family members, friends, and loved ones."

The family also questioned why no medical professionals, coroner, or authorities informed us of his passing, and why KC did not notify any family member directly. "We believe there are critical questions that need answers, especially since we believe KC likely made the decision to have John Amos cremated without the family's knowledge. We suspect these actions may have been taken to alter potential wills and collect life insurance or other benefits," she shared, adding that they're seeking justice and clarity.

In a new interview with TMZ, Shannon reiterated Amy's claims. She alleged that her brother K.C. and two others colluded to take advantage of the declining actor, suspecting his will was changed before his death. She also accused her brother of withholding treatment from their dad, who was allegedly diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2016.

"I think that my brother had him cremated quickly so that law enforcement couldn't do -- and the family couldn't ask for -- an autopsy. We knew that my father had congestive heart failure ... we know he wasn't in any kind of hospice," she said, noting that the dispute is not about money.