Full Breakdown
Chef Eric Adjepong Barred from Unsupervised Contact with Daughter After Abuse Findings
7/24/2026, 12:26:16 PM
Protective Order Details
A Howard County Circuit Court judge issued a protective order on July 10 that bars chef and Food Network host Eric Adjepong from contacting his daughter without supervision. The order prohibits him from being near the child’s home, school, or childcare providers and remains in effect until July 10 2027. Adjepong may have supervised visits only after completing court-mandated parenting classes and reunification therapy.
Background of the Family Dispute
Adjepong married Janell Davis-Mack in 2017; the couple divorced in 2021. Their custody battle continued for several years, culminating in a final divorce settlement on June 2 2026. The daughter—identified in most reports as seven years old, though one source says ten—has been at the center of the dispute.
Chronology of Key Events
- May 1 – Davis-Mack filed a petition seeking a protective order after a nurse’s report to the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).
- July 10 – Judge Maurice C. Frazier found sufficient evidence that Adjepong physically abused the child, prompting the order.
- April 29 – CFSA received the initial report, investigated, and later classified the sexual-abuse allegation as “unfounded.”
- July 23 – The Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Investigation Branch confirmed it had been notified of the allegation on May 1, found no probable cause, and referred the case back to CFSA.
Quantitative Summary
Official Statements & Responses
- Judicial finding: Judge Frazier determined there was sufficient evidence of physical abuse, forming the basis of the protective order.
- Law-enforcement outcome: The D.C. Metropolitan Police closed its investigation without filing charges, citing no probable cause for sexual abuse.
- CFSA conclusion: The agency’s final report labeled the sexual-abuse claim “unfounded.”
- Adjepong’s response: Through his attorney, Adjepong said he respects the court, is complying with the order, and will protect his daughter’s privacy, noting the allegations arose amid the long-running divorce and custody proceeding that concluded on June 2 2026.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Child’s age: Most outlets describe the daughter as seven; one source lists her as ten, a discrepancy not clarified by court documents.
- Details of alleged abuse: No specific information about the physical abuse has been released, and the police investigation found no probable cause for sexual abuse, leaving the exact allegations unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have the utmost respect for the circuit court that issued the protective order and am strictly complying with every facet of the order, which is designed to ensure that my daughter is safe and treated respectfully,” — Eric Adjepong.
Future Outlook
The protective order remains enforceable until July 10 2027. Adjepong must complete the court-ordered parenting and therapy programs before any possibility of unsupervised visitation. No further hearings or modifications have been announced.
