Hayden Panettiere’s loved ones couldn’t be happier about the restraining order that was placed on her allegedly abusive boyfriend, Brian Hickerson.
As we reported, the aspiring actor was charged with felony domestic violence during a court appearance on Thursday, less than a month after his May 2 domestic violence arrest.
The judge put a protective order in place at the prosecutor’s request, effectively prohibiting the South Carolina native from going within 100 yards of the Nashville alum, owning firearms, or contacting her via phone, email, or third party.
Related: Hayden Shuts Down Talk About Not Spending Time With Her Daughter!
Hayden’s friends and family are extremely relieved by the new order, seeing as the couple has seemingly been trapped in a domestic abuse cycle over the past few months: Hickerson had been accused of hitting the 29-year-old actress, while she kept going back to him because he made her “feel special.”
As an Us Weekly source puts it, the restraining order is “the beginning of something good,” and comes after months of Hayden’s loved ones being “very afraid for her.” The insider explained:
“The restraining order is the beginning of something good. Change is different, and to be honest with yourself, but everyone is very afraid for Hayden, and her friends and family believe that people with this history do not change overnight.”
Sounds like some court-mandated distance between the two is for the best.
At the time of Hickerson’s arrest, which came after he and the Heroes alum got into a heated argument following a night out in Hollywood, police reportedly found “redness and marks” on Panettiere. He was booked for felony domestic violence and released on $50,000 bond. Less than two weeks later, the pair were spotted holding hands in El Lay while getting coffee.
Related: Hayden Was Pretty Set On Marrying Brian…
During Thursday’s hearing, the prosecutor claimed that Hickerson “hit [Panettiere] on the face, causing her to get dizzy.” A neighbor called 911, but Hayden’s boyfriend insisted that the noise came from the TV.
Brian previously faced legal trouble in November 2018 when police responded to a call about a domestic incident with his father, David Hickerson. The alteration caused Hayden’s friends to worry that their relationship was “not a healthy situation,” according to Us.
The couple were first linked in August 2018 following the actress’ split from fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, whom she shares four-year-old daughter Kaya with. An insider recently claimed that the mother-of-one “hasn’t had much time” with her daughter because Kaya lives with her former boxer father in the Ukraine.
Sounds like Hayden has been going through some tough times. We hope this restraining order gives her the space she needs to figure things out.
[Image via WENN]
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