Mario Arrested After Assaulting Mother

Mario beat up his mom, according to cops in Maryland. The R&B crooner and Dancing With The Stars alum is facing charges of second degree assault after he was arrested Friday morning for attacking his mother, Shawntia Hardaway, in the family’s Baltimore apartment.

Mario was arrested around 12:50 a.m. at the apartment he shares with his mom after allegedly becoming violent with her, according to a spokesperson for cops in Charm City.

Hardaway told authorities that she dialed 911 after her son became enraged and began “throwing and damaging property” and pushed her with his hands and forearms. Hardaway, a former heroin addict, also claims she was involved in another violent altercation with the 24-year-old singer days prior to his arrest. Police sources say several broken items were found inside the apartment, including a smashed china cabinet, a busted mirror, and a hole in the closet door.

“He allegedly shoved his mother against the wall, she hit her head, it looks like he then became verbally abusive. She feared for her safety, and police were contacted,” Baltimore Police said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun this week.

Mario, whose real name is Mario Dewar Bennett, was booked on a second degree assault charge. He was released from jail on $55,000 bail.

The entertainer chronicled his mother’s struggle against addiction and his tireless effort to keep her clean in the 2007 MTV documentary I Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom.

Mario, a two-time Billboard Award winner, is best known for his hit singles “Just a Friend 2002” and “Let Me Love You.” He’s also starred in several films, including Step Up, alongside Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan; and Freedom Writers, alongside double Oscar winner Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey.