Father of Hayden Panettiere Arrested For Punching Wife

Law enforcement sources say that Hayden Panettiere's dad, Alan Panettiere, has been arrested for allegedly battering his wife - Hayden's mom.

Sgt. Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said Alan was arrested early this morning on a felony count of domestic violence.

He was popped after allegedly striking Lesley Panettiere in the face at around 3:00 a.m. today. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

Alan and Lesley Panettiere, parents of the 18-year-old Heroes star, were at a party earlier in the evening, according to sources.

There were no smiles flashed last night when a "disrespected" Alan Panettiere allegedly beat up Lesley Panettiere, the mother and manager of Hayden Panettiere.

Alan Panettiere allegedly became upset because Lesley was "hanging" with someone at the shindig and he felt she was "disrespecting" him.

According to Lesley's statement to Sheriffs, the couple went home and began arguing before Alan struck her in the cheek.

Cops took pictures and there are visible marks. Paramedics advised Lesley Panettiere she should go to the hospital but she refused.

Alan did not give a statement. It's unclear if any of Hayden Panettiere or her brother, Jansen Panettiere, were at the house at the time.