Skai Jackson, the 23-year-old actress best known for her breakout role on Disney Channel’s Jessie, has filed a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, Deondre Burgin, alleging a disturbing pattern of intimate partner violence and seeking protection for herself, her 3-month-old son Kasai, and even her pet dog.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Jackson describes six months of repeated physical and emotional abuse in 2024, culminating in a brutal incident on Mother’s Day 2025. While holding her infant, she says Burgin grabbed her hair, slammed her head into a car window, and punched her in the face.
The most horrifying accusations stem from her pregnancy period, during which Jackson claims Burgin:
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Threatened her with a knife and said he’d stab her if she sought help.
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Demanded she drink bleach to end the pregnancy.
These chilling details have prompted Jackson to seek a protective order requiring Burgin to stay at least 100 yards away from her, their baby, and her dog. She is also pursuing a formal child support agreement, wants legal fees covered, and is asking the court to mandate Burgin’s enrollment in a domestic violence treatment program.
Who is Skai Jackson’s ex Deondre Burgin?
Burgin, a digital content creator known online as “Yerkky Yerkky,” has a troubled legal history. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant and sentenced to 90 days in jail for a parole violation, coinciding with the birth of Kasai in January 2025.
The news has sparked a massive response on social media. Fans have flooded Jackson’s accounts with messages of support and outrage, expressing sympathy and condemning Burgin’s alleged actions. One viral post summed up the sentiment:
“Why do y’all blame women for picking bad men and not blame men for being bad in the first place?”
Many praised Jackson’s courage for coming forward and prioritizing her and her child’s safety.
Jackson, once the face of Zuri Ross on Jessie and Bunk’d, has grown into more than a former child star. She’s voiced characters in Marvel Rising and DreamWorks’ Dragons: Rescue Riders, and penned the 2019 memoir Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback. Now, she’s facing one of the most difficult chapters in her personal life, with strength and the public firmly behind her.
