Singer Bobby Brown was in a California court this week as he tries to gain legal custody of his 14-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

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The former New Edition star said after Friday's Orange County court hearing that he was prompted to begin custody proceedings against his ex-wife, pop star Whitney Houston, by a severe longing to be reunited with his daughter, People magazine reported.

"I miss watching her sleep, making her laugh, everything. It's the simple things," Brown said. "She looks like me - it's like looking in the mirror. The goal is to see her a lot more and to be involved in the decision-making in her life, the places she goes, the people she hangs out with. All of that."

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The couple's marriage was officially dissolved in April and Houston received legal custody of their sole daughter.

People said the presiding judge ruled Friday that both parents give depositions on the matter before a final custody decision is handed down Oct. 22.