Nikki Bella Files for Divorce and Seeks Custody of Son Matteo
Former WWE superstar Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, is requesting both legal and physical custody of her son Matteo in a recent filing for divorce from husband Artem Chigvintsev. The legal papers were submitted on Wednesday, September 11, marking the beginning of what promises to be a complex custody battle. Nikki, now 40, has indicated in her filing that while she is seeking full custody of Matteo, who is 4 years old, she is open to granting visitation rights to Artem, who is 42. According to reports from TMZ on Thursday, September 12, this stance reflects her willingness to maintain a cooperative co-parenting relationship.
The Turbulent End of a Marriage
The filing sheds light on a difficult period in the couple’s relationship. Nikki identified the date of separation as August 29, a day that coincided with a significant incident involving Artem. That day, Artem was arrested and booked into Napa County Jail in California on a felony domestic violence charge. In her divorce papers, Nikki cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the dissolution of their two-year marriage. This term often serves as a legal catch-all for couples who decide to part ways without assigning specific blame.
Understanding the Legal Charge Against Artem
Artem was charged under California penal code 273.5(a), which specifically criminalizes acts of domestic violence against a spouse, cohabitant, or fellow parent. This offense is commonly referred to as domestic abuse or corporal injury to a spouse. The law aims to protect individuals in close relationships from physical harm and emphasizes the severity of such acts by classifying them as felonies. The charge against Artem underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential impact it could have on his future, both personally and professionally.
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While Nikki has not publicly confirmed that she was the victim in the incident leading to Artem’s arrest, the star of Total Bellas did address the situation shortly afterward. In a statement issued by her spokesperson and obtained by Us Weekly on August 30, Nikki emphasized the private nature of the matter, asking for privacy for herself and her family during this challenging time. The Barmageddon host was seen for the first time since the arrest on August 31, boarding a private plane in Oakland, California, with her son Matteo, notably without her wedding ring.
The Incident That Changed Everything
The sequence of events leading to Artem’s arrest began on August 29 at approximately 8:30 a.m. when a call was placed to 911 reporting a "medical emergency." The call was reportedly made by Artem himself, though he later canceled it before paramedics arrived. Despite the cancellation, authorities responded to the scene, where they observed visible injuries on the alleged victim. This discovery led to Artem’s arrest on charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse. A representative from the Napa County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the injuries but respected the request for confidentiality regarding further details.
Following his arrest, Artem was taken to jail where his bail was set at $25,000, and he was released later that day. He is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on November 4. This legal development comes just days after Nikki and Artem celebrated their second wedding anniversary, a time when they expressed their love and commitment to each other publicly on social media.
A Love Story Cut Short
Just three days before Artem’s arrest, Nikki shared a heartfelt post on Instagram celebrating their love story. She referenced the lyrics of the song "Can’t Help Falling in Love," describing it as their love story. Accompanied by videos from their wedding in Paris, France, on August 26, 2022, Nikki reflected on the moment she knew she was falling in love with Artem. In her caption, she wrote, “Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!” Artem reciprocated the sentiment, sharing photos from their wedding day and writing, “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life without you. You are my everything.”
Nikki and Artem’s journey began when they were paired as partners on season 25 of Dancing With the Stars. At the time, Nikki was engaged to John Cena, a
