After her estranged husband's arrest for domestic violence and her subsequent filing for divorce, Nikki Garcia was granted a restraining order against him.
- Oct 4, 2024
AceShowbiz - Nikki Garcia has obtained a restraining order against her estranged husband, Artem Chigvintsev, following his August 2023 arrest for alleged domestic violence.
According to a sworn declaration submitted to a California court, Garcia alleges that Chigvintsev assaulted her inside their Napa Valley home. She claims he "tackled [her] multiple times and pinned [her] to the ground while [their] child was present."
The incident allegedly occurred over an English muffin toasting dispute. Garcia states she threw a child's shoe at Chigvintsev, which hit his leg lightly. In response, she claims he grabbed their son, Matteo, and ran upstairs, with Matteo screaming for his mother.
Garcia alleges that Chigvintsev opened the door and tackled her to the ground, holding her down for approximately 30 seconds. Matteo told officers that "Daddy hurt my hand."
She also alleges a prior instance of physical violence in mid-2023, where Chigvintsev grabbed her waist to prevent her from approaching their child. Additionally, Garcia claims numerous instances of verbal abuse.
In her request for a restraining order, Garcia stated that Chigvintsev needed therapy and anger management help. The order prohibits him from contacting or coming within 100 yards of Garcia and Matteo, except for court-ordered visitation or child exchanges.
Garcia's request to take Matteo to London, where she is filming a project, was denied until a full hearing later this month. Chigvintsev has not been living at the family residence since the incident, but a "move-out order" will not be granted until the hearing.
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev shortly after his arrest.