Hayden Panettiere's father released

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Hayden Panettiere's father Alan was released from custody yesterday (11.08.08) after being accused of hitting her mother.

Alan, who allegedly struck his wife Lesley "two or three times" in the face during an argument in the early hours of yesterday morning, spent around 10 hours in Los Angeles County sheriff's custody before being booked on a charge of domestic violence and released on $50,000 bail.

Steve Whitmore, a spokesperson for the West Hollywood Sheriff's Department, said: "We don't know if the victim is going to pursue the charges. Anytime there is a domestic allegation, the victim is offered an emergency protection order, basically a restraining order. She declined it. She also declined medical treatment.

"The victim did have visible injuries and we also believe alcohol was involved. That will be part of the investigation."

Alan and Lesley put on a united front following his release from custody.

The pair were seen laughing and smiling together while walking their dogs near their Los Angeles home.

Lesley covered her eyes with a large pair of white sunglasses, showing no sign of the alleged injuries.

Meanwhile, Hayden's close friend, actor Mario Lopez, has played down the incident, insisting the couple are happily married.

He said: "Alan and Lesley told me it was all a big misunderstanding and that nothing actually happened. In fact Lesley wasn't even aware that Alan had been arrested. Hayden found out about her Dad's arrest when he called her from jail. They love each other very much and want everyone to know that the matter was completely blown out of proportion."

It has been claimed Hayden's parents were attending a charity benefit at Eva Longoria's restaurant Beso on Sunday night (10.08.08), before they returned home and the argument began.

Alan was allegedly upset because Lesley had got too close to another man at the party and was "disrespecting" him, so struck his wife "two or three times on her left cheek with a closed fist".