Hayden Panettiere and the ex-boyfriend's brother are just "friends", even if they're holding hands: Source

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Following & nbsp;Hayden PanettiereAs part of a walk in New York, the actress was seen holding hands with her brother Zach. "data-reactid =" 27 "> In the wake of Hayden Panettiere's allegedly abusive relationship with Brian Hickerson, the actress was seen walking around New York, holding her brother Zach.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In the photos obtained by & nbsp;In weekly contact, the Nashville Alumna, 30, smiled holding hands with Zach on 4 September. "data-reactid =" 28 "> In the photos obtained by In weekly contact, the Nashville Alumna, 30, smiled as she held hands with Zach on 4 September.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" Hayden and Zach are friends and have been for a moment , "a source tells PEOPLE. The source also confirms that Panettiere and Hickerson have separated and have not communicated since a judge & nbsp;issued a protection order& nbsp; against him in May. "data-reactid =" 29 ">" Hayden and Zach are friends and have been around for a long time, "a source told PEOPLE The source also confirms that Panettiere and Hickerson have split up and have not communicated since. judge issued a protection order against him in May.

<h4 class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Video: Hayden Panettiere's red carpet"data-reactid =" 30 ">Video: Hayden Panettiere's red carpet

A Panettiere representative did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Panettiere and Hickerson started dating after information and then-fiance & nbsp;Wladimir Klitschko& nbsp; was split in August 2018. Klitschko, 43, and Kaya, 4, Panettiere's common daughter, & nbsp;who lives in Ukrainedata-reactid = "36"> Panettiere and Hickerson began dating after information was shared that she and fiance Wladimir Klitschko had separated in August 2018. Klitschko, 43, and her daughter Kaya, 4, from Panettiere who lives in Ukraine with her father.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "While the relationship between Panettiere and Hickerson began to throw, he & nbsp;was quickly interrogated& nbsp; by those who are close to Hero an old one, especially after the couple would have been & nbsp;involved in a drunken altercation& nbsp; with Hickerson's father, which prompted the police to visit him. And in May, Hickerson was & nbsp;arrested for domestic violence charge& nbsp; and released on bail. "data-reactid =" 37 "> The relationship between Panettiere and Hickerson began as an adventure, but it was soon questioned by the relatives Hero the former, especially after the couple was involved in a drunken altercation with Hickerson's father, forcing the police to visit him. And in May, Hickerson was arrested for domestic violence and released on bail.

More

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "RELATED: Hayden Panettiere "is optimistic and is looking forward to a great year" as she turns 30, says a source"data-reactid =" 58 ">RELATED: Hayden Panettiere "is optimistic and is looking forward to a great year" as she turns 30, says a source

According to the PEOPLE grievance complaint, the prosecution alleges that Mr. Hickerson "voluntarily inflicted a bodily injury resulting in a traumatic condition for Hayden P."

<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Hickerson was accused of & nbsp;a charge of domestic violence& nbsp; on May 23, and pleaded not guilty to this charge, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Attorney's Office confirmed to PEOPLE at that time. "data-reactid =" 60 "> Hickerson was charged with domestic violence.23 and pleaded not guilty to the charge, a spokesman for the LA County Attorney's Office confirmed to PEOPLE at the 39 ;time.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "ASSOCIATED VIDEO: Hayden Panettiere takes us to her daughter's amazing cupboard"data-reactid =" 61 ">ASSOCIATED VIDEO: Hayden Panettiere takes us to her daughter's amazing cupboard

In July, according to RadarOnline, Hickerson appeared in court while a senior Los Angeles judge had heard testimony from the police officer who had responded to the domestic violence appeal of 2 may. During the hearing, the judge dismissed the motion to dismiss the criminal charges against Hickerson. and refused to consider a charge of minor misdemeanor.

Panettiere's family told PEOPLE exclusively: "We hope the judge will make the right decision. This is an important message in terms of domestic violence for all women.

If he is found guilty, Hickerson risks up to four years in prison.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "If you suspect domestic violence, call the National Hotline for Domestic Violence at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 170 languages."data-reactid =" 65 ">If you suspect domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in more than 170 languages.