“Top Chef” personality Eric Adjepong has been prohibited from being alone with his 7-year-old daughter, Lennox, after a Maryland judge ruled there was sufficient evidence of physical abuse. A yearlong protective order was issued on July 10, which will remain in effect until July 10, 2027.
The order allows Adjepong to see Lennox, but all visits must be supervised. It also prohibits the 38-year-old chef from contacting, harassing, abusing, or threatening his daughter or her mother, Janelle Davis-Mack. Adjepong has been ordered to complete parenting classes and reunification therapy.
Adjepong stated in court records that he parents his child appropriately and safely. He declined to discuss the allegations publicly, citing a desire to protect his daughter's privacy. He noted that the allegations emerged during a protracted divorce and custody dispute that concluded in June 2026. He also indicated that the protective order followed reviews by law enforcement and the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).
According to Adjepong, the Metropolitan Police Department concluded its investigation without filing charges. The CFSA reportedly closed its investigation with an "unfounded" disposition, which defines the findings as not true.
Davis-Mack shared a statement on Instagram, commending her daughter for speaking out against someone who should have been a trusted adult. Her attorney told The Washington Post that the court acted appropriately to protect the child's best interests.
Davis-Mack filed a petition on May 1 to protect their child, stemming from a report filed by a nurse with the D.C. CFSA. This led to an investigation by the Washington D.C. Police Department's Youth Investigations Branch into allegations of sexual abuse. The police referred the case back to CFSA after finding no probable cause.
Adjepong and Davis-Mack were married in May 2017 and welcomed their daughter the following year. They separated in October 2021 and finalized their divorce in August 2022.
In January 2025, Adjepong allegedly violated a protective order related to a domestic violence case by contacting his ex-spouse. Later that month, he filed a motion claiming Davis-Mack was preventing him from seeing Lennox, a claim she denied. Davis-Mack subsequently filed to modify their custody agreement, citing an incident in November 2024 where Adjepong was allegedly driving 116 mph in a 5 mph zone. While Adjepong faced charges including speeding and reckless driving at the time, those charges were ultimately dropped.
Adjepong, a finalist on Season 16 of “Top Chef: Kentucky,” has also competed on other “Top Chef” seasons and hosted Food Network shows such as “Wildcard Kitchen” and “Alex vs. America.”