David Archuleta ‘Devastated’ Over ‘American Idol’ Co-Star Syesha Mercado’s Baby Custody Battle (Unique)

When beloved American Idol singer Syesha Mercado seeks support from fans and stakeholders in the heated legal battle for regaining custody of her children in the state of Florida, the 34-year-old mother of two receives more love and admiration from her peers, runner-up 7th season, David Archuleta. In an interview with PopCulture.com about his new single, the 30-year-old expressed how much he valued Mercado’s strength in the face of the devastating situation of their children, the 1-year-old Amen’Ra and the 10-day-old Ast with partner Tyron Deener, im Child protection service.

“[She’s] was always very level-headed, very mature. She has always had this elegance and grace of her sophistication, ”Archuleta told PopCulture.com exclusively. “It hurt to see her go through this and I was just devastated. I was shocked. Because I think Syesha is such an intelligent, strong person – a powerful woman and a powerful person. “

Archuleta went on, as he believes, that Mercado’s character adds in part to her defiant voice and panache in raising awareness on the matter raised by CPS and Dr. Sally Smith in Manatee County was listed most questionably. “There wasn’t anyone better for this to happen to, because the way she can say, ‘This is not right’ and show people – I don’t want it to happen to her, but when it does, how? Lucky me because look at how she got to show, ‘Hey, this is happening right now. That’s the way it is, and we need help ‘”because she does it with so much tact and with the elegance and grace with which she does everything. And it is allowed for people to stand by her and support her. “

Archuleta, who previously expressed his support to fans and followers through his own social networks like Twitter and Instagram, continues to praise her strength and admits that he kept her on his mind during the heartbreaking ordeal. “I’m so glad she’s strong and I’ve prayed for her and I’m just glad she gets national attention because she needs it, and I love her. I admire her so much because she handled it so much better than I certainly would have, and I think everyone else. She is unbelievable.”

On Wednesday, Mercado made an emotional plea in a virtual press conference denying the Manatee County’s allegations that she and Deener abused their children, which resulted in Mercado and Deener losing their son Amen’Ra for the first time in mid-March Claims of “severe malnutrition” followed by CPS who carried out a roadside social check and kidnapped daughter Ast earlier this month. The first parents state that they have “no criminal background” and “no previous history with DCF” [Department of Children and Families]”While at the same time making it clear that they” did nothing wrong “. The couple goes on to share how their lives revolve around “health, balance and doing what we can to lead our children,” and that means “nothing” that is “harmful” to their babies.

With both Amen’Ra and Ast remaining under state protection, Capt. Dennis E. Romano Jr. of the MCSO’s Child Protection Investigations Division told PEOPLE that CPS “does not protect children from families with the intent to keep them apart for long periods” because “the last thing anyone wants to do in this business is Protecting children from their parents, but sometimes that’s the only direction we’re forced in. ”Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who previously criticized the MCSO for“ publicly dehumanizing ”a black family with its actions, has the Case picked up. Mercado also created a GoFundMe to help pay for legal fees. The site has raised more than $ 425,000 at the time of writing.