“Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere’s dad was busted yesterday for allegedly beating up her mom in a drunken rage.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies picked up Alan Lee “Skip” Panettiere, 49, at his West Hollywood home after receiving a 911 call at 2:30 a.m.
The 5-foot-7, 155-pound Panettiere was booked for spousal assault and released on $50,000 bail after spending about 10 hours in the slammer, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Hayden’s mom, Lesley, told deputies that Skip smacked her three times.
Cops believe the diminutive dad had been drinking that night and early morning, fueling his rage, officials said.
“We do know that alcohol may have been involved, even though that won’t be a factor in charging him,” said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for LA County Sheriff Lee Baca.
Another sheriff’s rep said Skip believed he was “disrespected” by his wife.
“There was a domestic argument between the mother and father. He got upset and struck the mother in the face one or two times on the left cheek, which caused some bruising. From what I’m told, he hit her with a closed fist,” LA Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Wolf told People magazine.
“The mother called police shortly before 3 a.m., and Mr. Panettiere was taken into custody . . . He’s been cooperative. Earlier, they were at a party and the husband apparently felt disrespected by his wife.”
Alan Panettiere was booked on suspicion of felony spousal battery because his 52-year-old wife had visible signs of injuries, Wolf added.
A rep for the 18-year-old “Heroes” cheerleader declined to discuss the ugly domestic incident or name the dad’s lawyer.
The family had been out earlier Sunday night at Beso, a hot Hollywood eatery owned by “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria.
The Panettieres were at a benefit for an anti-whaling group that the actress supports.
The short-stacked dad has no prior criminal record in LA.
Hayden Panettiere, whose first big role was in the 2000 football film “Remember the Titans,” became a household name thanks to “Heroes,” in which she plays indestructible, cellular-regenerating cheerleader Claire Bennet.
The wildly popular NBC sci-fi series – with its first-year motto “Save the cheerleader, save the world” – made her a star.