Hayden Panettiere Speaks Out on Father's Arrest

Hayden Panettiere has spoken for the first time about her father's arrest on charges of felony spousal abuse.

"It [the incident] was blown way out of proportion by a sheriff who wanted his fifteen minutes of fame," the Heroes star -- who recently celebrated her 19th birthday -- tells US TV show Extra. "My family is wonderful -- so very happy. We're all great."

Alan "Skip" Panettiere, was taken into police custody and charged with the abuse on August 11 after allegedly striking his wife, Lesley, during an argument in their L.A. home. Hayden, who has a home of her own nearby, was not in her parents' house at the time.