American Idol star Syesha Mercado broke down as the Manatee County Sheriff's Office took the 10-day-old baby girl away from the distraught mom.
Per the New York Post, this marks the second time the authorities have seized a child from the 34-year-old performer in the last five months.
Upsetting footage saw the Florida native, who came in the top three during season 7 of American Idol, being surrounded on Wednesday by deputies while in an SUV with her newborn and partner Tyron Deener.
The officials were conducting a surprise roadside welfare check, as shown in footage that has garnered millions of views.
Police ultimately decided to take custody of the baby in order to take her to a hospital for a physical examination. This is possibly due to previous allegations of malnutrition in relation to her then 13-month-old son, the New York Post reports.
Mercado and Deener shared footage of the incident to Instagram with the caption, "THEY TOOK OUR BABY AGAIN!."
In the (above) video, which is an hour long, two male officers give the couple a court order to hand over the infant.
"Do you not feel anything? You guys, I’m human. This is my baby. My baby is days old - and you’re taking my baby away from me," a sobbing Mercado says in the video.
“You are traumatizing my baby. How could you guys do this?" the visibly upset mother shouts as her daughter is retrieved from her arms and put in the back seat of a vehicle.
"You have no heart. This is so wrong. I have the key to this city … I’ll hold it together. I’m strong," the singer continues.
A number of fans have since commented on the chilling video, with one writing: "I can’t even imagine the pain and the rage that’s flowing thought every fiber of your being! You are not gonna live through this alone, we are here for you. Sending you all of my love."
Another said: "This is not right or humane. This is the most heart breaking thing I have watched all year."
Finally, fellow American Idol star David Archuleta shared this sweet message:
"Syesha my heart breaks to see you going through this and how you’re being treated and your children!
"We love you and I am so glad that your case has received the attention it has so that you don’t have to suffer alone in the shadows.
"You’ve always been a strong woman and I pray that you have increased strength, guidance, and support at this time."
He concluded the message: "You speak out purposefully and gracefully even in your heartache and suffering."
