Hayden Panettiere's father has been formally charged with misdemeanor battery. Alan Panettiere was arrested on August 11 after he allegedly "struck his wife Lesley Vogel one or two times on the cheek causing bruising with a closed fist", according to a police spokesperson at the time.

The 49-year-old - who will appear in court on October 11 - could be jailed for up to a year if he is found guilty of the charges, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed Thursday.

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.