John Amos emphasized the importance of family love in cases of elder abuse

The late John Amos spoke about his love for his family before his death.

In an interview with PEOPLE in December 2023, the said roots The actor spoke about his relationship with his children after his daughter Shannon Amos claimed he was a “victim of elder abuse” at the hands of her brother, John's son KC Amos.

Speaking to his filmmaker son, John denied the claims but said he will always hold his family close to his heart.

“It's a little acrimonious at the moment, but no matter what you might read or hear in the newspaper or on that medium or that media platform,” he said. “Suffice it to say we are still a family and we love each other,” and that is the bottom line.”

“It is [K.C.’s] Siblings, this is my daughter, my first child. I love her. KC loves his sister. “We have, I think, a bitter relationship that is best described in the tabloids, but everything heals with time and the love is still there,” he reiterated.

Later it became Good times The patriarch added that “all families go through some kind of trials and tribulations,” but he hoped for a “harmonious relationship at some point.”

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John died of natural causes on August 21 at the age of 84, although his family did not announce the news until October 1. In a statement from son KC to PEOPLE, he praised his father for his kindness and success in the entertainment industry.

“It is with deep sadness that I inform you that my father has made the transition,” KC wrote. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold…and he was loved around the world.”

He continued: “Many fans consider him their TV dad. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding work as an actor on television and film. My father loved working as an actor all his life. Last in Fits LA plays himself and our documentary about his life as an actor, America's father. He was my father, my best friend and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.”

In June 2023, Shannon claimed in a lengthy Instagram post that John was subjected to “elder abuse and financial exploitation.” She filed a complaint with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and created a GoFundMe page to raise the “cost of care.” Coming to America Stern, but the page was later removed at his request.

“November, my dad and I created a popular video together. We didn't know what challenges lay ahead. On May 14, I received a disturbing call: from my father, telling me that he had been hospitalized in Memphis, Tennessee, in tremendous pain,” she wrote at the time. “Even though I was out of the country, I made sure he got help. The intensive care unit revealed that his life was hanging in the balance.”

“This cruel reality confuses us, but we hold on to hope,” it later said. “Every donation will be directed to a foundation for my father’s care, legal fees and aftercare. Help us win this fight, send love and inspire hope for the day we can dance together again. Your support means that as we navigate this darkness, the world is united in the belief that justice and healing will prevail.”

Less than a year later, John told PEOPLE the allegations were “false and baseless” and called KC, 53, “a caring, considerate person who respects me.”

“People think this is about money and rivalry… but that's not the case,” Shannon said in response. “…I love my brother and hope he gets the help he needs, but we must put the safety of my vulnerable father first. Everything else can be sorted out within our family.”

At that time, the Los Angeles Police Department also opened an investigation into Shannon's claims that her brother did not provide adequate care for their father given his health issues. On April 8, the LAPD closed the case due to lack of evidence, disappointing Shannon.

Amos, however, thanked authorities for “their professionalism and thoroughness in their investigation.” In a documentary he produced with his son, he also vowed to “unearth the real truth about the motives of those who painted a false story about me.”