Nikki Garcia is seeking full custody of her and Artem Chigvintsev’s 4-year-old son, Matteo, in their divorce.
People reported Thursday that the former WWE star — who wrestled under the name Nikki Bella — requested legal and physical custody of Matteo.
However, the outlet noted that Garcia, 40, is OK with Chigventsev, 42, being allowed visitation with the toddler, who is their only child.
“She continues to ask for privacy for her and her family at this time,” her reps said; his did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Nikki Garcia requested legal and physical custody of her and Artem Chigvintsev’s 4-year-old son, Matteo, according to court documents obtained by People Thursday. She and the “Dancing with the Stars” alum can be seen with Matteo above. theartemc/Instagram However, the former WWE pro said she is OK with Chigventsev having visitation rights. theartemc/InstagramExplore More
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev on Wednesday — less than two weeks after the “Dancing With the Stars” alum was arrested for domestic violence.
According to TMZ, Garcia began looking for a divorce lawyer the day after Chigvintsev allegedly attacked her in their Napa Valley, Calif., home.
Following the alleged incident, the athlete moved out of the family residence and stopped wearing her massive emerald engagement ring and wedding band, signaling the end of their two-year marriage.
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev on Wednesday. Nikki Garcia/Instagram She filed after he allegedly attacked her at their Napa Valley, Calif. residence. Rob Latour/ShutterstockOn the morning of Aug. 29, Chigventsev called 911 to request medical assistance for someone — only to call back and cancel the request.
However, cops still showed up.
“For domestic violence, if someone picks up the phone and says, ‘You don’t have to come after all,’ we’re still going to go for a welfare check. We’re not just going to stop what we’re doing,” a public information officer for the Napa County’s Sheriff’s Office previously explained to Page Six.
“We were dispatched to go there, and our deputies went directly there.”
The pro dancer was arrested for domestic violence on Aug. 29 and posted bail the same day. theartemc/Instagram He called law enforcement the morning of his arrest after Garcia threw shoes at him during an argument. Though he canceled his request, officers showed up anyway. theartemc/InstagramAfter responding officers observed visible injuries to the victim, who asked for “total confidentiality,” they cuffed Chigventsev and charged him with inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner — a felony.
He was booked at Napa County Jail and released hours later after paying the $25,000 bail.
Although authorities have not disclosed the identity of the victim, audio of the dispatcher’s call to police revealed Garcia was present when the alleged crime occurred, as was Matteo.
“Initially, [the call] came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at RP [reporting party],” the dispatcher was heard saying.
Chigvintsev and Garcia tied the knot in 2022. Broadimage/Shutterstock They welcomed Matteo ahead of their nuptials in July 2020. theartemc/Instagram“There is a child on scene. Medical en route. … There’s an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible.”
The circumstances surrounding the pair’s split are apparently “shocking but not shocking” to those who know them well.
Sources close to the duo — who met in 2017 while competing together on “DWTS” Season 25 — claimed to TMZ that their relationship has always been “volatile.”