Michael Ketterer, the finalist who finished in fifth place on this season of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ was arrested for felony domestic violence, per a report by TMZ.
According to TMZ, Ketterer has already disputed the claim, calling it a “misunderstanding” after he and his wife got into a fight at a hotel room and the police were called. Ketterer says that his wife didn’t want to press charges but that police arrested him anyways.
The Los Angeles Police Department have confirmed to Heavy that Ketterer was charged for domestic violence under penal code 273.5a and held on $50,000 bail.
Penal code 275.5a states that “(a) Any person who willfully inflicts corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a victim described in subdivision (b) is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to six thousand dollars ($6,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.”
TMZ reports that law enforcement sources have said the case will likely be downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor because of how minor Ketterer’s wife’s injury was: a “visible red mark,” though it’s unclear where that mark was on her body.
Here’s what you need to know.
Ketterer & His Wife, Ivey Ketterer, Have Six Children Together
Ketterer and his wife, Ivy Ketterer, have one biological daughter together as well as five adopted sons, one of whom has cerebral palsy.
Ivy Ketterer said to Entertainment Tonight of her husband Michael, “He is so inspiring. I mean, what is so amazing about our kids is here is a man who can take all of the spotlight for himself, but he shared the love for his children and to inspire people. So I just hope that they walk away with the quality of a man that he is.”
Ketterer talked about his family at several points throughout the show. He said of he and his wife’s decision to adopt after she almost died giving birth to their daughter, “It took my daughter three years to convince us to adopt. After we went through the process of getting certified to adopt, our very first call that we got were for three little boys. I promise I’m not making this up.”
He continued, “You know, one of the things that happens, especially because my children came out of foster care, when you’re surviving, you can’t dream. And that has been one of the most rewarding things is providing them with a home and safe environment where they are free to dream, and so I’m here because I want to show them that if their dad can live out his dreams then nothing is impossible for them.”