Nia Long is asking a Los Angeles court for protection after what she says has been a two-year ordeal with an alleged stalker repeatedly turning up at her home and sending unwanted gifts. In newly filed paperwork, the actress describes a pattern of visits and contact that she says left her seeking a restraining order. A judge declined to grant a temporary order at the initial appearance, but an April hearing is set for both sides to lay out their evidence on whether longer-term protections should be issued.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Long identifies the woman as Carrie McDonald and details what she calls ongoing harassment, including unsolicited cards, flowers, and repeated visits to her residence. In the filings, Long refers to McDonald as “a stalker” and recounts an alleged 2024 incident in which the woman reportedly showed up in the middle of the night and demanded to be let inside. Police responded and, according to Long’s account, gave the visitor what she described as a “strong warning.”
TheGrio reports that the situation reached a new level over the weekend when the woman allegedly rang Long’s doorbell on Saturday. Officers were called, and the woman was later arrested, according to the filing. Long is asking the court to extend protections not only to herself but also to her immediate family, including her two children and her mother.
Court timeline and legal stakes
At the initial hearing, the judge denied Long’s request for a temporary restraining order but scheduled a follow-up in April for a fuller evidentiary hearing, TMZ reports. Under California Legislative Information, Penal Code § 646.9 defines stalking as willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following or harassing someone and making a credible threat that causes reasonable fear. The statute allows stalking to be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, with tougher penalties when a court order is violated.
Resources and what to watch
The April hearing will be the key moment for Long to try to secure a longer-term restraining order and for the judge to assess the allegations on the record. For others navigating similar situations, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides round-the-clock support and detailed stalking safety-planning tools. We will be watching the case for new filings or official statements as the court date approaches.
