mariomugshot460.jpgCourtesy: Baltimore Police Department

R&B singer Mario was taken into custody in Baltimore this morning for allegedly hitting his mom in their apartment.

Police say Shawntia Hardaway, who is a former heroin addict, claims son Mario Dewar Bennett, 24, was "throwing and damaging property" in their shared apartment. Hardaway also says her son assaulted her with his hands and forearms ... and pushed her "eight feet into a living room wall."

When cops arrived at the scene, they found several damaged items including a broken mirror, a hole in the closet door and a busted china cabinet.

Mario was arrested for 2nd degree assault, and has been released on $50,000 bond.

Back in 2007, the singer filmed a documentary-style MTV episode in which he discusses his mom's drug problem. Check out Mario as he stages an intervention to help Shawntia kick her heroin addiction.