LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The head of Kentucky's Department of Community Based Services is following the domestic violence case against Darnell "Superchef" Ferguson closely, and based on the charges, Marta Miranda Straub said the woman is still in danger.
Darnell Ferguson, 36, is facing several charges including burglary, strangulation and terroristic threatening.
He's known for his two restaurants Drippin Crab and Super Chefs, along with being the host of Food Network's 'Superchef Grudge Match'. Both restaurants are closed.
But Ferguson's life and career took a turn to jail Tuesday afternoon.
RELATED: Food Network's Darnell 'SuperChef' Ferguson accused of strangling woman, threatening to kill her
Court documents show Ferguson illegally entered a woman's home, punched walls, and choked her. St. Matthews Police said Ferguson threatened to kill her.
"I'm certainly aware of Mr. Ferguson, I am actually watching his show right now on television with my kids," Judge Anne Delehanty said when he appeared before her in court.
She didn't let that stop her from setting a bond.
"However my decision is I'm going to treat Mr. Ferguson like any other person who would walk in here; ordinarily I would set a strangulation bond at $10,000," Delehanty said.
In court, Ferguson's attorney Krsna Tibbs said Ferguson and the woman have three children together, and they were exchanging children when another person was found inside the home. That's when the dispute happened.
"When someone has a gun or begins to strangulate, your chances of getting killed go up exponentially," Straub said.
Straub is the former CEO of the Center for Women and Families, and she said this is common for domestic violence victims.
"We start feeling guilty, we start feeling responsible," she said.
The woman told authorities she couldn't breathe and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she said she was on the floor and Ferguson allegedly ripped off her shorts.
"This dynamic is about power and control; the most loss of control is when that person is leaving them," Straub said. "Either they're going to go to shelter or their going to get a divorce or they start dating someone else."
In court, judge Delahanty had the last word.
Delehanty said Ferguson is "conditioned that he not be around his ex-wife at this time."
Ferguson pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 9 a.m.
If anyone is experiencing domestic violence, the Center for Women and Families hotline is 1-844-237-2331.
Other resources can be discussed with the center’s main office at 502-581-7222.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.