Hayden Opens Up About Dad's Arrest

Hayden Panettiere admits that she struggles with her father's arrest for felony domestic violence against her mother.

Her dad, Alan, was charged with misdemeanor battery in September 2008 after leaving his wife, Lesley, with a visible bruise, after he allegedly hit her in the face.

Although Alan later called the alcohol-induced incident a "big misunderstanding," Hayden is still coping with the situation.

"It put my dad in this light that is so not him. You know your mind goes to: 'He abuses, he beats his wife.' For my dad to have that reputation now — which is so not who he is — kills me," says Panettiere.

"I don't know that I dealt with it any specific way. I mean, it's hard enough going through it personally within your family, let alone when the entire world knows about it," the Heroes star continued. "I know that I'm strong enough to deal. I'm less concerned about myself. But when it involves my family or people I care about, I mean, I'll fly off the handle for my family."

Don't let the paparazzi know your weakness!!!!

[Image via WENN.]