Teresa Giudice says daughter Milania had 'fentanyl in her system' as she breaks silence following airport incident

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice has finally broken her silence on her daughter Milania's recent mental health issues.

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Teresa said that her Milania, 20, is 'going through an incredibly difficult time' and begged the public to show her daughter 'compassion and kindness'.

Milania is currently receiving 'professional care' following a public meltdown at Tampa International Airport involving Teresa and her older sister Gia.

Police were called to the scene after Milania 'ran off' from her family and a counsellor inside the terminal after being released from hospital.

During the meltdown, Teresa was seen on bodycam footage obtained by TMZ telling police that Milania allegedly had fentanyl in her system during a prior incident, which took place before she was hospitalized at a mental health facility under Florida's Baker Act this month.

In the footage, Milania can be heard saying that she had been 'laced' with the drug, while Teresa repeatedly tells Milania that she's trying to 'save her life'.

Addressing the situation in a statement on Monday, Teresa said, 'As a mother, there is nothing more important to me than the health, safety, and well-being of my children.

'The past few months have been incredibly difficult for our family, and I feel it is important to say something while also protecting my daughter during an extremely vulnerable time in her life.'

She went on to say that Milania 'has experienced tremendous heartbreak and significant psychological trauma' after the death of two of her best friends.

Milania has been mourning the loss of her childhood friend Victoria Zardoya, who suffered a 'devastating fall' on July 24 while exploring historic ruins in Florida. She died days later at age 20.

Teresa continued, 'Grief affects everyone differently, and watching your child try to process that kind of loss is something no parent can ever truly prepare for. Right now, my only focus is my daughter - making sure she is surrounded by love, family, support, and the care she needs.

'I understand that because our family has lived much of our lives in the public eye, there will naturally be questions and speculation. But Milania is my daughter before she is anything else. She is a young woman going through an incredibly difficult and deeply personal time, and she deserves the opportunity to heal without every moment of her pain being analyzed publicly.'

Teresa then pleaded for 'compassion and kindness', as well as 'privacy', before thanking those who had reached out and sent well wishes.

Daily Mail has contacted Milania and Teresa's representative for comment. 

In addition to Milania, Teresa shares daughters Gia, Gabriella, and Audriana with ex-husband Joe Giudice.

The former couple were heavily featured on The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, which covered the fraud conviction that sent them to prison. 

It's been a particularly turbulent year for Milania, who was arrested for alleged domestic violence in May.

In a report obtained by the Daily Mail, Milania 'threw candles and food' during the alleged incident at her mother's New Jersey home before her sister Gabriella, 22, called 911 claiming her 'sister was acting erratically.'

Milania was accused of 'causing bodily injury' and 'simple assault' following the alleged incident.

No weapons were involved and no injuries were reported, with Milania charged with one count of simple assault. The victim was never identified and Milania issued a not guilty plea.

She has not addressed the incident aside from a TikTok video posted in June, in which she said: 'It is what it is. S*** happens in life. Just become a better person and talk about it.' 

Last week, Milania's manager and a longtime family friend Maria DeSantis confirmed that the reality star was getting professional care. 

'Milania is deeply loved by her family and friends, and all of us are doing everything we can to support her as she navigates an incredibly difficult time in her life, particularly following the devastating loss of her best friend, Victoria,' DeSantis said. 

'She is currently surrounded by people who love her and is under the care of professionals who are working with her and her family,' she continued. 

'Milania is a good-hearted and caring young woman who has been going through a very challenging period, and our focus right now is simply on her health, healing and well-being.

'In time, she hopes that being open about her experiences may help other young people facing their own struggles, but for now, we ask for compassion and privacy as she and her family continue to navigate this together.' 

Milania's father – and Teresa's ex-husband – Joe urged people to consider his daughter's recent struggles before judging her in a statement to Page Six on Thursday.

'Milania is a good girl. She has a big heart, she loves deeply, and she cares enormously about the people in her life,' he said. 

'She is also young and going through a very difficult period right now.'