{"id":2415944,"date":"2026-05-14T02:40:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2415944"},"modified":"2026-05-14T02:40:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:40:27","slug":"hayden-panettiere-pushes-back-on-claims-she-abandoned-daughter-nbc-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/hayden-panettiere-pushes-back-on-claims-she-abandoned-daughter-nbc-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"Hayden Panettiere pushes back on claims she \u2018abandoned\u2019 daughter \u2013 NBC Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hayden Panettiere is speaking candidly about the painful decision to give custody of her daughter<\/a>, Kaya, to her ex-fianc\u00e9, Wladimir Klitschko, while she focused on her mental health and recovery.<\/p>\n

During a recent appearance on the podcast \u201cOn Purpose with Jay Shetty,\u201d the actress addressed long-running criticism<\/a> that she \u201cabandoned\u201d her daughter after Klitschko became Kaya\u2019s primary caregiver in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, the idea that anybody would think that I would just give away my child and be okay with it is heartbreaking,\u201d Panettiere said. \u201cCouldn\u2019t be farther from the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 36-year-old actress, known for roles in “Nashville” and “Heroes,” shared that she was battling substance abuse and mental health struggles<\/a> at the time. She also pushed back against misconceptions about her treatment journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a misconception is that I have been, in the past, forced into treatment when, in fact, I have been the one who has sought it out,\u201d she explained. \u201cWho was saying I desperately need help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Panettiere described herself as a fiercely protective mother, calling herself a \u201cmother lion\u201d who would have \u201cburnt the whole world down\u201d for her daughter. Still, she acknowledged that allowing Kaya to live in Europe with Klitschko while she sought treatment was \u201cincredibly difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that my child wasn\u2019t going to be with me all day, every day was … you can\u2019t put words to it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a really intense feeling or multiple feelings really layered together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over time, Panettiere said she realized Kaya had built a stable and fulfilling life overseas, surrounded by family and friends. She noted that her daughter now speaks five languages and has thrived in Europe.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo by the time I finally got healthy, I felt like it would have been unfair of me to, and selfish of me to try to pull her out of this life that she had been creating,\u201d Panettiere shared. \u201cAn incredible life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The actress emphasized that despite the distance, she remains deeply connected to her daughter through frequent visits and regular FaceTime calls.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have an incredible relationship with her,\u201d Panettiere said. \u201cWe have a really intense, incredible bond and I\u2019m very grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also made clear that Kaya understands she is loved and supported by both parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that she knows that she has two parents that would do anything in the world to make sure that she is happy and healthy,\u201d Panettiere said. \u201cShe in no way feels abandoned.\u201d<\/p>\n

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