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.

Following the incident, 'Heroes' star Hayden, 19, insisted it had been "blown way out of proportion by a sheriff who wanted his 15 minutes of fame."

After he was released on bail, Alan said: "It was all a misunderstanding, nothing actually happened."

Lesley and Alan added in a statement: "We love each other very much and want everyone to know that the matter was completely blown out of proportion."

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