Darnell Ferguson’s wife now says he never strangled her, says her words were twisted by police

The wife of Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson now says the abuse allegations against the Food Network star are not true.

“Darnell and I have had our issues and we have done everything we can to not let them affect our family and loved ones, especially our children,” Tatahda Ferguson wrote in a press release on Tuesday, April 30. “I responded in the heat of the crisis. Shortly afterwards we had a big argument and called the police on a matter that didn’t really warrant their involvement.”

Ferguson was charged with first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault and first-degree strangulation in connection with the alleged attack on his wife by St. Matthews, Kentucky, police in January, WDRB reported. He was also charged with third-degree terroristic threatening, menacing and criminal mischief.

In her statement, Tatahda claimed that her “words were distorted by certain law enforcement officials who want to make a name for themselves at the expense of my husband’s celebrity status.”

Tatahda wrote that she “never felt unsafe or threatened by him and he has always been a wonderful father to our children.” It hurts my heart that he is being slandered. I am coming forward to try to do what is right to clear his name and help our family heal.”

Want to stay up to date with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

According to an arrest warrant, Ferguson allegedly broke into Tatahda’s home in St. Matthews on Jan. 2 and yelled at her and punched walls. He then allegedly grabbed her by the neck and strangled her while threatening to kill her, the warrant said.

Police were called to the home and took photos of Tatahda’s alleged injuries, which included “redness, scratches and pain on her neck and a scratch on her upper thigh,” the warrant added.

In the statement, Tatahda said she was “never in physical danger.”

“There was no attempted strangulation or any form of assault by Darnell,” she wrote. “I would have said something earlier, but the officers and the justice system manipulated the situation…Darnell is a good man with a big heart and did not deserve any of this to happen.”

PEOPLE contacted Ferguson’s attorney, Krsna Tibbs, for comment.

St. Matthews Police Department Chief Barry Wilkerson tells PEOPLE the investigation remains open and pending.

“If you look at domestic violence cases, victims often recant,” he says. “It’s part of the cycle of domestic violence. We will still be actively working on this case and working with the victim in this case and any other victim to ensure they are safe.”

“These are difficult cases to work on, and we are always looking for our victims in these cases,” he added. “As chief, I am proud of the way our detectives and the victim services specialist handled the case.”

The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office said in a statement obtained by WDRB that “while the decision whether to prosecute is ultimately up to the prosecutor, the victim’s opinion is important, and the prosecutor will take these into account in making decisions wishes.

The statement continued: “While we recognize victims’ input into the process, under our legal system all crimes are offenses against the public, not just individuals. Our commitment is to maintain public safety. Criminal complaints are prosecuted on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, not the person who called the police or the person who may have been personally harmed by the suspect’s conduct. Requests to amend, dismiss, or “withdraw” charges must be approved by the assigned prosecutor.

“This approach is important because it takes the responsibility for prosecuting defendants off the shoulders of the victim and makes it the responsibility of the prosecutor, where it legally belongs. It also means that in any case that is prosecuted, a victim cannot be legally pressured.” to drop the charges.”

Ferguson, who is known as a celebrity chef, co-hosted season 25 of Worst chefs in America alongside Anne Burrell and was a frequent jury member Minced meat And Guy’s grocery shopping games. He also participated in three seasons of Guy Fieri’s Tournament of champions and recently appeared on OWN’s The big food fight during the holidays And Food fantasies.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.