Columbus Short engaged and set to become a dad again

Embattled actor Columbus Short has two reasons to celebrate - he is engaged and preparing to welcome his third child.

The former Scandal star, 33, has been dating Aida Abramyan on-and-off for years, and he confirmed to Entertainment Tonight on Sunday (21Aug16) that they are preparing to tie the knot.

In addition, they are expecting their first child together, and plan on getting married in January (17), prior to the little one's arrival.

The union will mark Short's fourth marriage and third child. He and his first wife Brandi have a son together, while he shares a four-year-old daughter with his second wife, dancer Tanee McCall.

He had an acrimonious split with McCall, who accused Short of domestic violence. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery in 2014 and was handed three years probation and ordered to take a counseling course.

Earlier this year (16), Short hit headlines once again after he revealed he secretly exchanged vows with his third wife, Karrine Steffans. However, their marriage didn't last long, as she took to social media with accusations of his infidelity in March (16), and she was subsequently granted a temporary restraining order after she claimed her estranged husband had become violent during several drunken tirades.

However, Short denied all her accusations, and even claimed the couple is not legally married.

The actor's engagement and baby news also comes two months after he was released from a California jail.

In June (16), he spent six days in custody for violating the terms of his probation relating to a 2014 assault charge and sentenced to another 24 hours in jail for failing a drug test at an in-patient drug rehab program at the Pasadena Recovery Center in California.

Following his release, Short told Entertainment Tonight he hopes never to find himself behind bars again, saying, "I'm feeling grateful for the learning lesson and I'm fully accountable for my mistakes. I'm ready to get to work and never go back to that place. God is good."