MTV 'Teen Mom' Star Amber Portwood Charged With Domestic Battery

A reality-TV star is seen on tape slapping her boyfriend in front of their kid.

ByABC News
December 27, 2010, 4:48 PM

Dec. 27, 2010— -- A fight captured on tape from MTV's "Teen Mom" is what got Amber Portwood charged with two felony counts of domestic battery, one felony charge of neglect of a dependent and one misdemeanor count of domestic battery, according to TMZ and Radar Online.

Police in Anderson, Ind., pursued domestic violence charges against Portwood, 20, who appeared on the reality show that chronicles the challenges of being a young mother.

In footage taped by the show, Portwood is seen repeatedly punching and slapping her on-and-off boyfriend Gary Shirley in the presence of their daughter, Leah.

"On Aug. 14, 2009 ... Portwood shoved Shirley against a wall, slapped him on the face and choked him," Anderson Police Detective Mitch Carroll told ABC News Indianapolis affiliate WRTV in November. "The incident was witnessed by the couple's 1-year-old child, who sat in a child seat on a nearby bed."

Carroll told WRTV that there were other incidents in June and July 2010 in which "Shirley was slapped, punched and kicked."

If convicted, Portwood would face up to three years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.

Portwood has denied hitting Shirley in front of their daughter.

"None of this is true, there's nothing against me. They can't charge me if they don't have proof," she said in an interview with Hollywoodlife.com.

In response to the incident, MTV released a statement on its website: "We are cooperating with all parties and hope for a quick and fair resolution that allows everyone involved to move forward in a positive manner."