LATEST: Actress Hayden Panettiere has broken her silence about the alleged domestic incident which led to her father's arrest earlier this month (Aug08).

The Heroes star's father, Alan, was held on suspicion of felony spousal abuse on 11 August (08), after allegedly striking his wife, Lesley, three times.

The couple appeared on TV in America following the incident, in an effort to clear up what they called "a big misunderstanding".

And 19-year-old Hayden is now echoing her parents' claims, insisting Los Angeles authorities exaggerated the incident.

She tells U.S. TV news show Extra: "It was blown way out of proportion by a sheriff who wanted his 15 minutes of fame. My family is wonderful, so very happy. We're all great."

Reports suggest Lesley Panettiere called police after a fight with her husband. The incident is said to have followed a row at actress Eva Longoria Parker's Los Angeles restaurant Beso late at night on Sunday 10 August (08).

Alan Panettiere, a fire department official, was released from jail on $50,000 (GBP25,000) bail on Monday 11 August (08).