Eric Adjepong protective order dispute adds alleged contact violation
TMZ reports Eric Adjepong allegedly contacted ex-wife Janell Mack after a temporary order, before their daughter got her own order.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Eric Adjepong protective order details now include an earlier allegation involving his ex-wife, Janell Mack, according to TMZ, which reports the “Top Chef” star was accused of contacting Mack one day after she obtained a temporary order against him in January 2025.
TMZ reports Mack went to court in January 2025 and received a temporary protective order that barred Adjepong from contacting her by any method. The order was in effect until Feb. 4, 2025.
According to TMZ, the alleged violation happened on Jan. 23, the day after the order was put in place. Adjepong allegedly used the OurFamilyWizard parenting app to ask Mack to FaceTime him.
TMZ reports a court summons followed, and Adjepong was told again not to contact Mack. Adjepong’s attorney told TMZ the alleged violation was dismissed.
What is the Eric Adjepong protective order about?
A protective order is a court order that can restrict contact between people, often for a set period. In this case, TMZ reports there were two separate orders: a temporary one involving Mack in early 2025, and a later year-long order obtained by the former couple’s daughter, Lennox.
Adjepong’s attorney told TMZ the alleged contact with Mack concerned their daughter and took place on OurFamilyWizard, which the attorney described as a court-mandated communication app used in the divorce and custody case.
“The alleged violation entailed Mr. Adjepong contacting his ex-wife regarding their daughter through the OurFamilyWizard app, a court-mandated communications app used during the parties' divorce and custody proceedings,” the attorney told TMZ. “The alleged violation was dismissed because the court recognized that the required method of communication was the OurFamilyWizard app, creating a conflict with the protective order.”
TMZ reports it is not clear what Mack alleged in order to obtain the January 2025 temporary protective order. Mack and Adjepong were married from 2017 to 2021 and share 7-year-old Lennox, according to TMZ.
Daughter’s year-long order followed later
The January dispute surfaced after TMZ reported that Lennox obtained a year-long protective order against Adjepong. According to TMZ, the order came after Adjepong was accused of sexually abusing her.
TMZ reports the allegations were taken to Child and Family Services on May 1, and that the agency then notified Washington, D.C. police. Police found no probable cause that a crime occurred, according to TMZ.
A judge in Howard County, Maryland, issued a final protective order against Adjepong on July 10, TMZ reports. The order is set to last one year.
Adjepong told TMZ through his attorney that he is complying with the order. The attorney also provided a statement from Adjepong saying, “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.”
Adjepong also addressed the situation on Instagram, according to TMZ, writing that recent weeks had been “among the most difficult” of his life. He said he had stayed silent because he believes “integrity is measured by how you conduct yourself when your character is being questioned,” adding, “Others can choose rhetoric. I will choose truth.”
Mack also posted on Instagram, according to TMZ, writing that her daughter had been granted a protective order against her father “because she was brave enough to speak up.” Mack added that she would keep believing and protecting her daughter.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.