American Idol contestant Cecil Ray has been arrested in Texas after allegedly forcing his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend and striking her in the face.
A Rockdale PD officer said that he had received a call to a residence last week where the reality star – full name Cecil Ray Baker – allegedly entered the home of his ex, Mariah Lopez, and assaulted her, TMZ reported on Monday.
Mariah took to TikTok following the arrest with a video declaring she and her daughter were ‘happy safe and healthy’ and included purported evidence of Cecil’s abuse in photos and text exchanges.
Controversy: American Idol contestant Cecil Ray (seen last month) has been arrested in Texas after allegedly forcing his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend and striking her in the face
It has been claimed that the dispute began as Lopez had refused to let him see the child he believes is his.
Lopez claimed that she wouldn’t let Baker – who is a machine operator from Cameron, Texas – in so he went to a locked back door and ripped it open to gain entry according to an affidavit obtained by TMZ.
She went on to tell law enforcement that Baker then pushed her on the floor and ‘struck her in the face with a palm heel’ before he left.
Another witness was Lopez’s sister who told police that he went to his ex’s place to see her daughter who he believes is his.
Ugly: TMZ reported on Monday that a Rockdale PD officer said that he had received a call to a residence last week where the reality star – full name Cecil Ray Baker – allegedly entered the home of his ex, Mariah Lopez, and assaulted her, as he is seen in a mugshot from Saturday
According to law enforcement sources for TMZ, the sibling mostly corroborated Lopez’s description of the events.
Police said that they went on to try to track Baker and learned that he had relocated to a nearby town.
Baker was arrested a few days later on April 17 where he was charged with burglary of habitation which happens to be a second-degree felony in Texas.
He was later released on the same day as his arrest on a $15,000 bond.
Last week, Mariah called Cecil out on TikTok: ‘People aren’t who they always seem to be on TV. Im tired of always being silenced. You even denied my daughter being yours #cheater #americanidol #fyp’
On Sunday, she shared a second TikTok video about the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of Baker: ‘I’ve had enough. This is why victims never come forward bc y’all try so hard to tear them down. #dobetter #bebetter’
Poignant: The video was set to the song You Should Be Sad by Halsey which is about being abused by a boyfriend
Fury: In one screen shot of texts purported to be from Cecil, the singer appeared angry with heavy use of expletives
Last week, Mariah called Cecil out on TikTok: ‘People aren’t who they always seem to be on TV. Im tired of always being silenced. You even denied my daughter being yours #cheater #americanidol #fyp’
Then, on Sunday, she shared a second TikTok video about the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of Baker.
‘I’ve had enough. This is why victims never come forward bc y’all try so hard to tear them down. #dobetter #bebetter,’ she wrote.
The video was set to the song You Should Be Sad by Halsey which is about being abused by a boyfriend.
Evidence: In the video Mariah shared several images of what appeared to be bruising on her arms and legs
‘I know your family has seen your behavior and honestly it is disgusting that they are OK with it and trying to deny it,’ she wrote directly to Cecil
Damage: Lopez shared a brief video of what appeared to be a busted up door jamb, likely from the incident which Baker was arrested over
‘My daughter and I are happy safe and healthy,’ Mariah captioned the first slide of the video showing a photo with the baby.
‘I know your family has seen your behavior and honestly it is disgusting that they are OK with it and trying to deny it,’ she wrote directly to Cecil.
Under the captions, Mariah included screen grabs of texts with friends who allegedly witnessed the abuse.
‘I’ve seen him push you so hard you fall to the ground,’ one text read.
Booked: Cecil Baker’s booking sheet and mug shot were among the elements in the damning TikTok video
‘But in all honesty I just hope that you decide to do better. I hope one day that you change and hold yourself accountable for your own actions. I hope one day you can change and flourish into the person that you need to be.’
‘There were times where it was hard to leave,’ Mariah wrote over a photo of an expletive laden text exchange with Cecil. ‘You would keep reeling me back in.
Several images appear in the video of bruises on Mariah’s arms and legs.
‘The truth will eventually come out,’ the caption read over video of what appeared to be a busted up door jamb, likely from the incident which Baker was arrested over.
She ended the video on a hopeful note for her ex: ‘But in all honesty I just hope that you decide to do better. I hope one day that you change and hold yourself accountable for your own actions. I hope one day you can change and flourish into the person that you need to be.’
Interesting: It has been claimed that the dispute began as Lopez (seen last month) had refused to let him see the child he believes is his
Baker had made it to the top 24 of American Idol until being eliminated last week.
It is interesting to note that he dedicated his first performance to his two-month-old daughter which helped him earn his ticket to Hollywood in an episode which aired in February.
Cecil Ray performed a version of Morgan Wallen’s Talkin’ Tennessee.
He revealed that he had recently lost three people he loved to suicide, but vowed to stay strong for his infant daughter, impressing new mom and judge Katy Perry.
Revealing: It is interesting to note that he dedicated his first performance to his two-month-old daughter which helped him earn his ticket to Hollywood in an episode which aired in February (pictured)
Source: DailyMail
