NEWSDomestic Violence Investigation in Full Force Against 'Teen Mom' Amber
Oct. 20 2010, Published 5:21 a.m. ET
The Today show looked into the investigation of Teen Mom's Amber Portwood for domestic violence against her boyfriend Gary Shirley this morning and it is still very much underway. Child Protective Services are looking into the situation, too -- and in Indiana domestic violence in front of a child under the age of 14 can be a felony.
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Last year, Amber attacked her then fiancé Gary in front of their daughter Leah in an episode of Teen Mom that just recently aired on MTV.
"After seeing the latest fight, investigators went to Amber's home and found evidence they say warrants their attention, though officials won't say what that evidence is," the Today show reports.
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"There are critics who say that MTV or the production company should have stepped in and stopped the scene," Today explained. "Especially because they occurred in front of their baby daughter, Leah."
- 'Teen Mom' Star Amber Portwood Not 'Sorry' for Assaulting Ex Gary Shirley Years Ago: 'You Shouldn't Have Cheated on Me'
- Teen Mom's Amber Portwood Reveals New Boyfriend as Drama With Daughter Leah Shirley Explodes: 'He's Super Sweet to Me'
- Amber Portwood Accuses Gary and Kristina Shirley of 'Grooming' Daughter Leah in Shocking Rant
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Dan Abrams, NBC's chief legal analyst, said, "As a legal matter, if the prosecutors decide they want to prosecute, they have got all the evidence they need right there on the tape. Because remember, what is battery, legally? It means touching something in an angry way."
So, should MTV have gotten involved and pulled Amber and Gary apart?
"If the D.A. decides to get aggressive, they could prosecute people who had reason to believe that child abuse was occurring, they could prosecute them for a misdemeanor for not reporting it." he said.
