Hayden Panettiere has broken her silence about her dad's arrest for spousal assault, saying it was "blown way out of proportion." Alan Panettiere - who was arrested and charged with domestic violence on August 10 - allegedly struck his wife Lesley, Hayden's mother, "two or three times" in the face during an argument, but Hayden claims it was nothing serious.

Hayden, 19, said: "It was blown way out of proportion by a sheriff who wanted his 15 minutes of fame. My family is wonderful and so very happy, we're all great."

Hayden Panettiere's father Alan was released from custody Monday 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.

Hayden Panettiere's father Alan was arrested on charges of domestic violence early on Monday morning.

The "Heroes" star's father allegedly struck his wife Lesley in the face during an argument at around 3am in the morning.