A Maryland judge has issued a protective order against Eric Adjepong, a well-known chef on the Food Network, following allegations of physical abuse concerning his seven-year-old daughter, shared with his ex-wife, Janell Davis-Mack. The decision was made by Howard County Circuit Court Judge Maurice C. Frazier, who concluded that there was a significant amount of evidence suggesting that Adjepong had indeed physically harmed the child.
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As part of the ruling, Adjepong, 38, is expressly prohibited from having unsupervised contact with his daughter until he successfully completes a series of mandated parenting classes and reunification therapy. Court documents, which were reviewed by PEOPLE, confirm that the final ruling was put into effect on 10 July, and it includes strict directives that Adjepong refrain from any form of abuse, as well as from contacting or entering his daughter’s home or school premises.
In a public statement communicated through his attorney, Adjepong expressed his concern for his daughter’s privacy, highlighting his love and care for her. “Because this matter involves my young daughter, whom I love deeply, I intend to protect her privacy and will not discuss the underlying allegations or other sensitive family matters publicly,” he stated. He added that the claims emerged from an ongoing custody battle that had only recently concluded.
Adjepong also stated that prior investigations carried out by law enforcement agencies and the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) had not substantiated the claims. The Metropolitan Police Department closed its investigation without pursuing any charges, while the CFSA deemed the allegations as “unfounded,” meaning they were determined to be untrue. Despite this, the judge issued the protective order as a safeguard for the child.
“The Court’s protective order followed careful reviews by law enforcement and the CFSA,” Adjepong elaborated in his statement. He expressed his commitment to complying with the conditions set by the court, which are designed to ensure his daughter’s safety and allow for a respectful relationship as they work toward reunification.
Adjepong concluded by emphasising his desire to handle family matters privately. “It is my fervent hope that in the future my ex-wife and I can resolve these matters privately and through the proper legal channels, rather than in the press, if only for the well-being of our daughter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Janell Davis-Mack’s attorney, Todd K. Mohink, expressed approval of the court’s intervention, stating, “The court did the right thing to protect the best interests of the child.” This sentiment aligns with Davis-Mack’s own stance, as she took to Instagram shortly after the ruling to share her perspective. She remarked, “My daughter was just granted a protective order against her father because she was brave enough to speak up against who should have been one of the most trusted adults in her life.”
Davis-Mack affirmed her support for her daughter, stating that she would continue to believe in and protect her child’s voice at all costs.
Eric Adjepong gained prominence as a finalist on “Top Chef: Kentucky,” which aired in 2018, and has made appearances on several other popular Food Network shows, including “Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” The Food Network has yet to issue a statement regarding this recent legal development.
As the situation continues to unfold, both Adjepong and Davis-Mack seem committed to ensuring their daughter’s best interests remain at the forefront of their ongoing disputes, despite the complexities of their legal battles and public scrutiny.