Nikki Garcia filed for and was granted a restraining order against her estranged husband, Artem Chigvintsev, after his August arrest for alleged domestic violence.
TMZ reported Thursday that Garcia submitted a sworn declaration to a California court, detailing how Chigvintsev allegedly attacked her inside their Napa Valley home.
The former WWE star — who fought under the name Nikki Bella — claimed the “Dancing With the Stars” alum “tackled [her] multiple times and pinned [her] to the ground while [their] child was present,” per TMZ.
Garcia, 40, and Chigvintsev, 42, share 4-year-old son Matteo.
According to the outlet, Garcia claimed that since the professional dancer was cut from “DWTS,” he grew “increasingly angry, snapping at [her] and yelling.”
The pair allegedly had discussions about his need to control his anger.
On the morning of the incident, the retired wrestler claimed that Chigvintsev went off on her over how Matteo’s English muffin should be toasted, allegedly screaming that she made the toddler a “picky eater.”
Garcia admitted that she was so overwhelmed by Chigvintsev allegedly shouting at her that she threw their son’s toddler-size 7 shoes toward him.
She claimed the shoes hit his leg but were so light that they couldn’t have actually hurt him.
Garcia alleged that Chigvintsev grabbed Matteo and ran with him upstairs as the boy screamed, “Mommy! Mommy!”
She claimed that when she went upstairs and tried to get into the room where they were, Chigvintsev opened the door and tackled her to the ground.
He allegedly grabbed her arms and held her there for what she said felt like 30 seconds.
Matteo allegedly told responding officers, “Daddy hurt my hand.”
TMZ reported that Garcia also accused Chigvintsev of being physically violent on one prior occasion; in mid-2023, he allegedly “violently grabbed [her] around [her] waist” to keep her away from their child.
According to the mother of one, there were numerous instances of verbal abuse.
Garcia told the court she wants Chigvintsev to get the help he needs with therapy and anger management.
Chigvintsev is prohibited from contacting or coming within 100 yards of Garcia and Matteo, with the only exception being for court-ordered visitation with or exchanges of the child.
Per TMZ, Garcia had asked if she could take the little one to London, where she will be filming a project, but the judge denied that request until a full hearing is held later this month.
The outlet reported that although Chigvintsev has not been living at the family residence since the incident that landed him behind bars, the judge will not grant a “move-out order” until the hearing.
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev — whom she married in August 2022 — less than two weeks after his Aug. 29 arrest, requesting full custody of Matteo.
On that morning, Chigventsev called 911 to request medical assistance for someone — only to call back and cancel the request. However, cops still showed up.
After they observed visible injuries to the victim, who asked for “total confidentiality,” they cuffed Chigventsev and charged him with inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner — a felony.
He was booked at Napa County Jail and released hours later after paying the $25,000 bail.
Although authorities did not disclose the identity of the victim, audio of the dispatcher’s call to police revealed Garcia was present when the alleged crime occurred, as was Matteo.
“Initially, [the call] came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at RP [reporting party],” the dispatcher was heard saying.
“There is a child on scene. Medical en route. … There’s an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible.”
Due to a lack of supporting evidence, the charge against Chigvintsev was dropped late last month following a “thorough” investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the duo’s split are apparently “shocking but not shocking” to those who know them well.
Sources close to the two — who met in 2017 while competing together on “DWTS” Season 25 — claimed that their relationship has always been “volatile.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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