Father of Hayden Panettiere Charged with Battery

Alan Panettiere, the father of 19-year-old Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere, has been officially charged with misdemeanor battery, TMZ reports.

"Skip" was booked back in August on a charge of felony domestic violence after he allegedly hit wife Lesley in the face, leaving a visible bruise.

They were spotted arguing at a Hollywood charity benefit that night. Police were called to their W. Hollywood home at 3:15 a.m. after the incident.

Lesley Panettiere, Hayden's mother and manager, and husband/father Alan.

Alan is due in court next month. He could get a year in jail if convicted. Still, both Alan and Lesley Panettiere have been downplaying the arrest.

"It was all a big misunderstanding," Alan recently told Extra.

Although a police report claims Alan struck Lesley three times, the couple insist “nothing actually happened. [We] love each other very much and want everyone to know that the matter was completely blown out of proportion.”