"Teen Mom" Star Faces Child Neglect Charges
ANDERSON, Ind. (CBS/AP) A September episode of MTV's "Teen Mom" reality TV show has led to felony domestic battery and child neglect charges against a star of the popular program.
Police and prosecutors in the central Indiana town of Anderson began investigating 20-year-old Amber Portwood after the September episode showed her slapping, choking and kicking the 24-year-old father of her daughter.
Portwood was arrested Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, and jailed under a 24-hour hold until Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Mitch Carroll tells The Herald Bulletin that the child neglect charges stem from Portwood's then-1-year-old daughter being present during two filmed instances of domestic violence.
The Associated Press left a telephone message seeking comment Tuesday at the office of Portwood's attorney Robert Schembs.
Anne Houseworth of the Indiana Department of Child Services said dozens of viewers called the state's child abuse hotline to report Portwood's outbursts.
The arrest is likely to fuel debate over the controversial series, which has some viewers wondering whether it sends the wrong message to teens. The appearance of several of the show's stars on magazine covers could give the impression, opponents said, that a teenage pregnancy can be a ticket to fame and fortune.
