Nikki Garcia Granted Restraining Order Against Artem Chigvintsev

Nikki Garcia (FKA Nikki Bella) has been granted a restraining order by a judge against her husband Artem Chigvintsev, TMZ has reported. The restraining order prevents Chigvintsev from contact or coming within 100 yards of Nikki, their four-year-old son Matteo, and their home. The only exception to the restraining order is for visitation or exchange of the child per court-ordered visits. 

This comes after Chigvintsev was arrested on August 29 on felony charges of corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant. The charges were later dropped by the Napa County District Attorney's Office. Nikki Garcia has filed to divorce her husband. 

Within her petition for the restraining order, Garcia detailed the incident that led to Chigvintsev's arrest, alleging that he tackled her multiple times and pinned her to the ground while their child was present. 

Garcia stated within the petition that Chigvintsev had become increasingly angry since being cut from Dancing with the Stars, and they had conversations about his need to control his anger. On the morning of August 29, Chigvintsev allegedly screamed at Garcia over making their son a "picky eater" as their four-year-old's breakfast muffin should be toasted. 

This led to Nikki throwing Matteo's shoes toward Artem, which hit him on the leg, but Garcia said they were so light they couldn't have hurt Chigvintsev. The husband then grabbed Matteo and ran upstairs with him as the child shouted, "Mommy! Mommy!" As Garcia tried to gain access to Matteo's room, Chigvintsev opened the door and allegedly tackled Nikki to the ground, grabbing her arms and holding her on the ground. 

Chigvintsev then went back into Matteo's room and closed the door which led to Nikki trying to push open the door again. Chigvintsev opened the door once again and allegedly pushed her across the hall into their bedroom. Chigvintsev then allegedly forced her to the floor in their bathroom and pressed down with his hands on her chest which left Garcia feeling like she was suffocating. Garcia grabbed at her husband's neck to try and get him off. 

After the police arrived, Nikki alleges that her son told officers that, "Daddy hurt my hand." 

Garcia also alleged within the petition that Chigvintsev had previously been physically violent on another occasion in 2023 when he violently grabbed her by the wrist to keep her away from their son. Garcia also claimed Chigvintsev had been verbally abusive on numerous occasions. 

Garcia's representatives issued the following statement to TMZ:

"Due to the incident that led to Artem's arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son. Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected. Nikki's number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time."

After being partnered together on 2017's season of Dancing with the Stars, Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev began dating in 2019. They were married in 2022.