A troubled member of the “Jersey Shore” family says he’s taking a break.
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, one of the cast members of both MTV’s original incarnation of the reality show and its “Family Vacation” spinoff, says he’s going to “step away from the show” after discussing his recent drama with the network.
The 35-year-old wrote on Instagram Stories Thursday that he’ll “seek medical treatment for mental health issues that I’ve ignored for too long.”
“My number one goal now is facing my struggles head on,” the reality star continued. “This process will be difficult, but my #1 priority is to get healthy and be the best man and the best father I can for my daughter.”
The announcement was made the same day Ortiz-Magro’s legal team said he had avoided charges in a domestic violence incident that happened last month, People reports.
His lawyers echoed their client’s statement, saying the TV personality “is currently seeking medical treatment for psychological issues that he has ignored for a long time.”
Ortiz-Magro’s 3-year-old daughter Ariana was in his care when he was arrested in late April for allegedly attacking a partner while in Los Angeles, an LAPD spokesperson told People at the time. He was released on $100,000 bail.
He’s also on probation after taking a plea deal last year in his domestic violence case with Ariana’s mother and his ex-girlfriend, Jen Harley.
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